6 October 2003
Members of the Pacific community met with Corrections management and staff to discuss greater involvement by the community in the Wellington region’s prisons last Friday.
Dave East, Wellington Regional Manager, Public Prison Service, said the purpose of the Pacific Day was to communicate the goals of the Pacific Strategy, and to explain how the Pacific community can contribute to achieving these goals.
The aims of the Pacific Strategy include formalising working relationships with the Pacific community, increasing the capability and responsiveness of the Department to the needs of Pacific inmates, and reducing re-offending by Pacific offenders.
“There was a genuine enthusiasm shown by Pacific community representatives and Corrections staff to work together in the future to address the needs of Pacific inmates, said Mr East.
“Inmates need to establish positive links with the community to be able to reintegrate into the community on release, and the Department’s Pacific Strategy includes initiatives to encourage that support.”
The meeting was an opportunity to promote the Department’s Pacific Strategy and the progress that has been made on the Pacific initiatives resulting from the Strategy. Initiatives include the establishment of the Chief Executive’s Pacific Advisory Group (CEPAG), the Saili Matagi violence prevention programme, and the Fautua Pasefika roles.
There was a high level of interest from members of the community in the Fautua Pasefika roles, which will allow Pacific community leaders greater and easier access to prisons and Pacific inmates. In addition, the Fautua Pasefika are able to advocate on behalf of the community to the Department and Minister of Corrections on any issues affecting Pacific inmates.
The Wellington Regional Prisons Pacific Staff Network co-ordinated the all day event, which was a valuable chance for the network, prison management, and the Pacific community to work together on Pacific issues.