A Corrections Inmate Employment farm instructor
teaches practical skills to a prisoner - the instructor’s
role is ‘layered with responsibilities’.
Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE) instructors received some welldeserved recognition on World Teachers’ Day on October 5.
As a show of appreciation, the 265 CIE instructors throughout the country’s prisons were individually acknowledged by CIE National Manager, Brent Maughan.
Brent says teaching in general is a challenging job and CIE Instructors are faced with an even tougher task.
“CIE instructors’ jobs are layered with responsibility, as they are not only adult educators, trainers and assessors, but must also take on a custodial role.”
Prisoners have some of the lowest literacy and numeracy rates in New Zealand, and CIE instructors help many prisoners turn their lives around.
CIE Catering and Laundry Instructor Robert Bowers says the job is challenging, but rewarding.
“When prisoners receive qualifications you can’t get the smile off their faces, as they take great pride in their achievements.
“I find the prisoners’ morale, motivation and interaction with each other increases as they now have something that is structured and that they can work towards.“
In the 2006-2007 year, almost 20,400 NZQA credits were delivered to more than 2,000 prisoners in industries such as engineering, catering, laundry, horticulture, farming, joinery and forestry.
The last prison census, conducted in 2003, identified that 52 per cent of prisoners had no formal qualifications and only 45 per cent were in paid work before going to prison.
“CIE instructors train prisoners to improve their work habits, skills and experience, increasing prisoners’ chances of getting sustainable employment on release,” says Brent.
If you are interested in passing on your skills and becoming a CIE Instructor, or know someone who does, contact CIE on 0800 172 776 (0800 1 pass on) or email passon@corrections.govt.nz.
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ISSN 1178-8453