23 August 2007
Wanted: Volunteers willing and able to provide spiritual, recreational, educational and cultural support to prisoners and their whānau.
If you can spare time to work as a prison volunteer once a week, once a month or even once every few months, the Department of Corrections would like to hear from you.
You may have the skills and life experience needed to help Corrections reduce reoffending. You may wish to join the 760 volunteers who each year bring a valuable community perspective into Wellington prisons.
Jorge Sandoval and Marijke Pritchard are two such people - two of the more than one million New Zealanders who regularly undertake voluntary work in the community and in their case, in the challenging environment of Wellington’s prisons.
For several months, Mrs Pritchard has been helping two boys in the Youth Unit at Rimutaka Prison with their reading – a skill they will need to successfully reintegrate back into the community.
“These boys are going to get out one day,” Mrs Pritchard says. “Part of my role is to prepare them for life on the outside by building on the positives. It is wonderful watching their progress. By helping with their reading, I hope to give them the confidence and self-esteem to make better choices in the future.”
Despite being a little anxious about prison volunteering when she first started, Mrs Pritchard says she quickly adapted to the role and hasn’t looked back.
“I find it very rewarding and would urge anyone thinking about volunteering to just do it,” she says.
Former New Zealand cycling team manager and honorary member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Jorge Sandoval is another regular visitor to Rimutaka Prison.
Imprisoned and tortured at age 17 in a Chilean concentration camp, he witnessed the killing of his best friend – an event he will never forget.
Mr Sandoval enjoys helping prisoners work on their social skills and self-esteem to prepare them for life after prison. He understands the importance of trying to turn prisoners’ lives around.
“Adapting to the real world after prison can be very hard,” he says. “The way people think and the way things are done all change. I remember how difficult it was for me to adjust after just a year.”
“If I can make a difference to the life of just one prisoner, then my volunteering is worthwhile. If you want a better society – volunteer.”
Corrections Regional Volunteer Coordinator Jeanette Voyce would like to hear from anyone who feels they have something to offer and particularly from prospective volunteers with guitar and crafts skills.
“I know some people might feel daunted about the prospect of volunteering in a prison,” Mrs Voyce says. “It can be viewed as a dangerous place but I want to assure people that it is safe. We provide a comprehensive induction process and we provide ongoing health and safety training plus support.”
Anyone who would like to find out more about volunteering in Wellington prisons, can contact Jeanette on (04) 529 0921 or by email at jeanette.voyce@corrections.govt.nz
ENDS
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