Supportive hands: prisoners have shown their support for
White Ribbon Day by assembling 400,000 ribbons and cards.
Prisoners have made a stand against violence towards women, using their hands in a positive manner to assemble 400,000 ribbons and cards for White Ribbon Day, November 25.
Prisoners at Wellington Prison print shop printed 400,000 cards, while 45 other prisoners cut more than 40 kilometres of ribbon, folded 400,000 bows and pinned them to the cards.
Corrections Inmate Employment Activity Manager Steve Luey supervised the project and said it was a good opportunity for prisoners to reflect on the significance of the day while gaining valuable work experience.
Steve says one prisoner told him making the ribbons gave him the opportunity to talk openly and feel accepted.
“When he started, this guy was was well known for being violent. Working in a group, on this particular project, meant we could talk to him about why he always resorted to violence. We talked about other ways he could look at things. He is now a lot calmer and happier.
“Another guy couldn’t count, so as a team, we taught him. He started counting to five, then 10 and now he can count up to 25. His self-esteem has really improved.”
White Ribbon Day was introduced to New Zealand by UNIFEM (the United Nations Development Fund for Women). By wearing a white ribbon people show that they will not commit, condone or remain silent about men’s violence towards women.
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ISSN 1178-8453