Staff and prisoners at Mt Eden Prison in Auckland celebrated last week as the first participants in its Pasifika Legends Story Telling Programme graduated.
Eight offenders graduated this month from the 40-hour programme which was held over 10 weeks. Friends and family attended to congratulate offenders and celebrate with them.
The programme, previously run in other Auckland prisons, has proved to be a success with staff and prisoners.
"Research suggests that culturally-based programmes for prisoners are more successful," says Regional Adviser for Pacific, Asenati Lole-Taylor.
"Many New Zealand-born Pacific prisoners have never been exposed to their cultural identities. They are sometimes third generation New Zealanders who haven't been brought up the traditional Pacific way - such as fa'a-samoa - and can feel displaced in situations where they are expected to act in a culturally appropriate way, yet don’t know how."
Mrs Lole-Taylor says the Pasifika Legends programme helps prisoners to understand and embrace their cultural identities. Cultural practices are explained through legend, allowing the prisoner to become more receptive to other rules around them.
"This, along with building self-esteem and motivating positive attitudes helps prepare prisoners for their release and re-entry into the community and workforce."
Corrections plans to continue running the programme in the Auckland region, and, if it proves successful, will look at extending it into other facilities.
Other initiatives to support Pacific Island prisoners and their families in the Auckland region are also gaining momentum.
A fono for Fautua Pasefika (specified visitors) is being held at the end of November. Volunteers from across the region will meet together to discuss their work with prisoners and their aiga (families). Fautua Pasefika assist Pacific Island prisoners in a range of ways, including spiritually, and with their families, who Mrs Lole-Taylor says are "often ashamed of the prisoners' actions and shun them".
"Reconnecting prisoners with family is often a strong factor for successful reintegration to the community," she says.
"Having cultural initiatives that are supported by the community helps the majority of prisoners with the journey back to the other side of the wire. It can be difficult, but with family and community support prisoners can turn their lives around, shift their focus to their aiga (family) and work toward a new life for themselves with their partners and children."
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