Reintegrative services to continue

26 February

Reintegrative services to offenders by Corrections will not be affected by the financial situation of the national body of the Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation Society (NZPARS).

Alison Thom, Corrections General Manager Rehabilitation and Reintegrative Services, said the Department remains committed to the provision of reintegrative services to offenders. 

“The financial position of the national body does not apply to the 19 independent local PARS organisations throughout New Zealand. These local organisations actually deliver the reintegrative services which, to date, the Department has purchased through the national body.

“Individual PARS societies around New Zealand are doing a good job, Corrections will continue to contract with them to allow for the provision of reintegrative services irrespective of the financial situation of the national body.”

Ms Thom said the Department had been concerned about NZPARS' financial situation for some time.

“Corrections had been working closely with NZPARS for several months to address the financial issues facing it. However, despite a lot if good will from the Department these endeavours have been unsuccessful.”

“We must ensure that any funding we provide is effectively utilised and we can no longer be confident that providing further funding to NZPARS will result in sustained improvement to the way that organisation operates.”

Ms Thom said Corrections’ three-year contract with the national body of NZPARS will cease on 31 March 2010. A contingency plan had been developed to enable Corrections to continue to contract individual PARS societies to allow for the provision of reintegrative services until a tender process for the delivery of these services throughout New Zealand could be completed.