15 July
Christchurch Men's Prison's Youth Unit is providing youth prisoners with the knowledge and skills that will assist them to gain employment once they are released.
Fifteen youth prisoners at the Unit have successfully achieved a National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) in the last six months.
In addition to this, Youth Unit prisoners have achieved certificates for a range of NZQA-based courses in Rural Health and Safety, Farm Machinery, an Introduction to Engineering, Forklift Operations, and Comprehensive First Aid. The ongoing training in the Unit comprises of numeracy and literacy, computing, Tikanga Maori and life skills.
“Last year, 39 NCEA certificates were achieved by our Youth Unit prisoners, and we are well on track to reach the same achievements this year,” Youth Unit Manager Robert Risdon says.
The Christchurch Youth Unit accommodates around 32 prisoners under the age of 17 and prisoners aged between 17-19 who are deemed to be vulnerable in the mainstream prison environment. These prisoners have received a range of psychological, educational and vocational training in as normal environment as possible within a prison setting.
“One of the biggest challenges we have is to encourage youth prisoners undertaking education not to give up. Our staff spend a lot of time supporting them and teaching them they are worth putting that effort in,” Robert says.
Education Tutor Kathy Foster says the majority of the youth prisoners come into the Christchurch Youth Unit with little or no education.
“It is fantastic to see their literacy ability improve dramatically throughout the process of completing qualifications.
“Youth prisoners often come from backgrounds involving aggressive, destructive and anti social behaviour. Many are sad, despondent and angry at a time where they are right in the midst of forming an identity for themselves.
“Being able to positively influence the way these youths’ identities develop and to give them knowledge and skills that will place them in a more positive position once they are released is hugely rewarding,” Kathy says.
Notes to Editors:
Christchurch Youth Unit can hold a maximum of 40 prisoners at a time. Prisoners under the age of 16 are required to undertake full-time education while in the Unit.
Prisoners undertaking Correspondence School qualifications do not have access to the internet.
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