"Nearly half of the Māori offenders who complete the Te Piriti treatment programme often seek further education in wananga. In Te Whare Wananga O Aotearoa they continue their studies in tikanga Māori or other related subjects," says Cultural Consultant Mate Webb.
"About 85 per cent of Māori prisoners who attend Te Piriti know little about their culture when they first come into the group so it is encouraging that after release some do remain connected to their culture."
Unique
Te Piriti is a Special Treatment Unit for 60 child sex offenders in Auckland Prison. Most offenders stay there for 9 to 12 months, usually towards the end of their sentence.
The environment is very bicultural. Corrections' Director Psychological Services David Riley believes that this plays an important part in its success: "I routinely monitor the international literature relating to sex offender treatment and the results achieved at our Special Treatment Units are among the very best reported anywhere in the world.
In addition to incorporating all accepted principles of best practice in the treatment area, Te Piriti is unique among world programmes because it combines a scientifically based psychological approach with an environment emphasising the values and practices of the indigenous culture."
As Mate is also convinced that Te Piriti is doing very well, he can't wait for the next evaluation. In 2002 it was found that men who completed the Te Piriti programme had a 5.47 per cent sexual re-offending rate.
This was significantly less than the re-offending rate of 21 per cent of an untreated control group of Māori and non-Māori convicted sex offenders.
An interesting aspect of the report was its finding in respect of Māori men. Their sexual re-offending rate (4.41 per cent) was shown to be even better than that of their non-Māori counterparts, which was in the order of 6.02 per cent.
Face up
Opened in 1994 as the North Island answer to Christchurch based Kia Marama, Te Piriti offers a programme with a heavy focus on Māori tikanga.
"About 35 per cent of what we do is kaupapa Māori. The Māori culture creates a sense of belonging for the offenders, both Māori and non-Māori," Mate says.
This starts with the Whakawhanaungatanga, welcoming each offender into the programme, and continues throughout the different groups.
In the beginners groups offenders adjust to the therapeutic environment and get prepared to face up to their offences when they proceed to the core programme. There is also an adapted group for offenders with significant learning problems.
Whānau involvement develops a social network for after release.
"When the prisoner has completed the victim empathy module, we hold a whānau hui in which the offender is expected to relate the reasons and triggers for his offending to his support people," says Mate. "This is an emotional event and vital as the family learns how they can support him to remain offence free after release.
"Ra whakanui or graduation day is another important day in which the whānau participate and celebrate the achievements of the offender."
Collective
All groups engage in weekly activities outside of therapy such as sports and carving.
"Our collective approach has become an essential part of Te Piriti's work," says Mate. "By taking part in the carving group a person with a tendency to isolate himself can learn how to work in a team and build self-esteem."
"The weekly therapeutic community meeting is also important because everyone attending can express their opinions. It is chaired by prisoners who have completed the core treatment programme."
These prisoners remain in a maintenance group at Te Piriti, often until their release.
Corrections' support does not end there. While on parole the offenders meet monthly at a relapse prevention meeting.
Offenders who require further treatment can also be referred to a community based psychologist.
Te Piriti does not isolate itself either. Dr Mei Williams is a lecturer at the School of Psychology, Massey University as well as being a clinical psychologist.
As part of her job she supervises students' research projects and thesis.
"I am most impressed by how Te Piriti is most keen for research opportunities in their unit," says Mei.
"Jim van Rensburg, Principal Psychologist of Te Piriti, and his staff have also made significant contributions to our clinical programme at Massey University.
"Mate Webb has played an important role in increasing our awareness of the importance of a bicultural focus. It is rewarding and a great pleasure to work with the staff.
"Despite the nature of their work and their busy workload, I always feel welcomed and warmed by their friendliness and the passion they have for their work."
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