22 March
Thirteen prisoners took a giant step towards turning their lives around late last week, after successfully graduating from the Drug Treatment Unit (DTU) programme at Rimutaka Prison.
Acting Prison Manager Paul Rushton believes the DTU is a vital part of the prison’s rehabilitation efforts.
“Providing such an intensive programme gives motivated prisoners the tools to turn their lives around and allows them to address long standing addictions.”
One of the newly graduated prisoners says the programme was hard and challenging but it is the best course he has done in prison.
“It’s life changing. The programme has changed my whole outlook on life, the way I live, the way I act. It’s given me all sorts of tools for the outside.
“I would recommend it to any prisoner who is willing to help themselves - you'll only get out of it what you're prepared to put in.”
The Drug Treatment Unit programme runs for 24 weeks and includes behavioural therapy and education on addiction and change.
“Prisoners who participate in the DTU programme have been identified as having an addiction which has been a factor in their crimes, and they must be motivated to make the change or else it’s a waste of time and tax-payer money,” says Mr Rushton.
“The prisoners must also submit to random drug tests to make certain they are sticking to their commitment. There is zero tolerance for any drug activity and violence; if a prisoner breaks their commitment they are exited from the course.
“Some of the prisoners who have made great progress are then asked to stay on past their graduation as mentors for the next intake. Their presence and peer support helps the next lot – it keeps them honest.
“These prisoners gain skills and techniques that will aid them in remaining drug free and in recognising trigger points in their lives that could cause them to relapse."
The Department contracts Care NZ to deliver the DTU programmes. Care NZ staff treat prisoners through cognitive behavioural therapy in both one-on-one and group situations. The prisoner may continue to receive support through the Alcoholics Anonymous programme on release if they choose.
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