New Drug Treatment Unit treats addiction, strengthens cultural identity

A new Drug Treatment Unit opened at Whanganui Prison in September will be a rehabilitation boost, especially for Maori prisoners.

In a first for Corrections, the new Drug Treatment Unit is based inside the prison’s Maori Focus Unit – aligning two complementary approaches to rehabilitating Maori offenders.

Rehabilitation and Reintegration General Manager Alison Thom says it is about getting prisoners easy access to the right rehabilitation at the right time.

“This innovation brings together drug treatment and the Maori Focus Unit in one residential setting. Prisoners can address their addictions while at the same time strengthening their cultural identity, both of which help reduce re-offending.

“Studies show Maori respond well to rehabilitation programmes generally and placing the Drug Treatment Unit in the Maori Focus Unit will only enhance that.”

Access is not limited to Maori, although any prisoner entering the Maori Focus Unit must abide by the kaupapa.

The 12-week drug treatment programme is run by clinical staff from CareNZ and is targeted at prisoners serving shorter prison sentences of between four and 12 months. 

At any time there will be 45 prisoners at various phases of the programme, with about 130 prisoners expected to engage in the programme each year.

CareNZ Chief Executive Tim Harding says his organisation is grateful for another opportunity to work in collaboration with Corrections.

“CareNZ already delivers eight therapeutic communities in partnership with Corrections which have proven to be very successful.”

“It’s about delivering an effective intervention that will change the lives of the prisoners, their families and their communities.”

There are now nine Drug Treatment Units in prisons across the country. 

Six-month programmes are run at Spring Hill Corrections Facility, Hawke’s Bay Prison, Waikeria Prison, Arohata Prison, Rimutaka Prison and Christchurch Men’s Prison. 

The more intensive three-month programmes are run at Otago Corrections Facility, Auckland Prison and Whanganui Prison.