Hon Dr Pita Sharples, Associate Minister of Corrections
I am very pleased to be appointed Associate Minister of Corrections. To be honest, I asked the Prime Minister for this portfolio.
My reasons go back to the fact that I have been involved with prisons since the so-called ‘Paremoremo riots’ of the early 1970s.
Recognising that there are very limited opportunities available for rehabilitation in the fullest sense unless there are links beyond our prison communities, I have had a wide range of input to the system. These include ‘mana talks’, tikanga Māori lessons, taiaha classes, te reo Māori classes, seminars, rehab lectures and visiting kapa haka programmes.
I have also been involved in numerous wānanga and programmes such as Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation Society (PARS) programmes, prison reform submissions, Parole Board discussions and the like.
I helped design the final form of the Māori Focus Units (the first being at Hawkes Bay Prison) and I now have in mind a new model of kaupapa Māori institution designed for rehabilitation, with an emphasis on healing, education, training and outside social support.
Right now, ministers across the Justice and Social Development sectors are working together to address the drivers of crime. The Department’s focus on ‘succeeding for Māori offenders’ complements that approach, and I look forward to seeing the results of this work.
My goal is to cut reoffending rates. I acknowledge the huge efforts being made in this area and the dedication of whānau members, community and government agencies reaching out earlier, and perhaps preventing offending from taking place, with fewer victims as a result.
The biggest challenge, though, will be to influence public understanding about the role of Corrections. Many people believe that justice has been done when offenders complete their sentence. But surely it is common sense that, sooner or later, offenders have to be safely reintegrated with their whānau and community – and that’s everyone’s job.
All New Zealanders will continue to be casualties of crime, until everyone starts to accept some responsibility for our system of depriving offenders of their rights and liberties, and the corresponding obligation to help restore offenders to full membership of society.
The ultimate answer to rising crime and punishment lies within each of us.
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ISSN 1178-8453