30 November
Christchurch Men’s Prison has today celebrated the work of prison volunteers – a key part of the rehabilitative and reintegrative processes available to prisoners.
The Prison has marked Volunteer Awareness Week with an awards ceremony recognising the importance of volunteering and the benefits volunteers can bring into the prison environment.
“The existence of a diverse and energetic pool of volunteers brings a community perspective to our services and contributes towards helping offenders to positively return to the community,” says Prison Manger John Roper.
“We have people going into prisons helping prisoners with their literacy, teaching arts and crafts, music, parenting skills or budgeting skills. There is such a wide variety of possible areas to volunteer in.”
Selwyn MP Amy Adams was on hand to help present this year’s Group Volunteer Award to the Saint Saviours Church for their provision of bible studies. Bruce McLeay, who has been a church volunteer at the Prison for 23 years, also received an Individual Volunteer Award, in addition to Anne Dolan, who has been involved in the Storybook Dads and Mums project that is currently underway in the Canterbury Region.
“The commitment and care these award recipients have shown for the wellbeing of prisoners has been invaluable.
“The benefits of providing a varied array of constructive activities for prisoners cannot be overstated. These activities often motivate prisoners to change their lives and, for some, they offer the possibility of using newly-learned skills when they are released,” Mr Roper said.
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