Corrections has further extended its supported accommodation services for offenders who have complex and difficult reintegrative needs.
The supported accommodation service was piloted in Auckland in 2005 after a comprehensive review of Corrections’ reintegrative services framework.
The service aims to provide accommodation for the first three months and other support for up to six months for prisoners returning to the community with difficult and complex needs including housing. It’s also available for people with similar needs who are serving sentences or orders in the community.
Two new service providers have been contracted in Hamilton and Hawke’s Bay bringing the total number of beds available to 51 this financial year. The new Hawke’s Bay service is a joint venture between the Auckland Prisoners’ Aid and Rehabilitation Society (PARS) and Hawke’s Bay PARS. In Hamilton the service is run by Anglican Action.
Supported accommodation is also available in Auckland through Auckland PARS, and in Wellington and Christchurch through the Salvation Army.
A funding boost across the contracts for the 2008/09 financial year will secure 20 beds in Auckland, 10 each in Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton, and six in Hawke’s Bay. Further expansion is being planned for other parts of the country.
Under the supported accommodation service, prisoners have their reintegrative needs (including housing needs) assessed before they are released.
Some are referred to life skills courses and support agencies to help them prepare for their return to the community. They also have access to advice and guidance from Corrections’ staff (including reintegrative case workers and social workers).
Community Probation & Psychological Services’ (CPPS) Mt Eden Service Manager Wiremu Dixon says that the supported accommodation service has been very useful in reintegrating offenders.
“Parolees all say they appreciate the accommodation. It has been a good start for them because it has given them some much needed stability on their release - not just in their accommodation, but with the input of CPPS and PARS into their reintegration. I think it makes it easier for staff to do rehabilitative work with them, because the offenders are not constantly worried about accommodation, and they can concentrate more.
“In addition, PARS has been proactive in setting up addresses for the parolees to move to following their three months with the service.”
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ISSN 1178-8453