30 March
Around 14 Pacific Island prisoners from Manawatu Prison were given the opportunity last week to talk to local support services.
The event, held at the prison bought a number of support services and volunteers together to inform prisoners about the range of support available to them pre and post release. Attending support organisations included Work and Income New Zealand, Career Services and the Manawatu Prison Aid and Rehabilitation Society. Volunteers from Fatua Pasefika and local Kaumatua were also in attendance.
The event was supported by the Manawatu Prison Pacific Network Group. The group contributes to the Department of Corrections' goals of reducing re-offending and creating a safer community and Manawatu membership consists of around eleven staff from various Pacific Islands; Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and Fiji.
“It was great to have these services and volunteers come into the prison, it is important for these prisoners to understand the type of support on offer to them to aid in their rehabilitation and eventual release back into the community. This is yet another example of the community working in partnership with the Prison which helps contribute to reducing future offending,” says Manawatu Prison Manager Peter Howe.
“Through this event the prisoners had the opportunity to see that there are a number of services and people in the community available to aid in their rehabilitation and reintegration back into society. Just by knowing these services are available it will no doubt help the prisoners see that they and their families are not on their own, which can be very positive in ensuring prisoners remain crime free.
“At the end of the event the attending prisoners gave thanks to the event organisers and the attending representatives by performing traditional Tongan, Samoan, Cook Island and Maori songs. They have been practicing the performance for some time now and I think that it showed that they really valued the opportunity,” says Mr Howe.
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