19 August

Hawkes Bay Prison’s Drug Treatment Unit (DTU) is leading the way in prisoner rehabilitation with 15 prisoners recently graduating from the intensive 24 week programme.

Hawkes Bay Prison Manager George Massingham says its fantastic more prisoners are taking a step in the right direction.

“It is great to see an increase of prisoners completing the programme and taking a positive step towards addressing their addictions. I’m sure it has not been easy for them but their perseverance and hard work has paid off.

Mr Massingham says the DTU is a vital part of the prison’s efforts to rehabilitate prisoners.

“The DTU provides an intensive programme which gives prisoners the tools they need to turn their lives around. It motivates them to change and allows them to address their long standing addictions.

“This is a rigorous programme that includes behavioural therapy, education on addiction and change as well as building new skills. If staff aren’t confident a prisoner has completed part of the course satisfactorily they won’t graduate until they are up to scratch.

“When you consider that 60 per cent of offenders are affected by alcohol or drugs at the time of their offending, it is important we provide prisoners with the support they need to turn their lives around. Ultimately, this will help reduce reoffending and make our communities safer.”

Research has shown that reconviction rates for those who have been through a Drug Treatment Unit are 13 per cent lower over a 24-month period than those 'untreated' offenders.

“Reducing the demand for drugs through programmes such as the DTU is one half of the equation. The other half is minimising the supply of drugs in prison.

“The Department works constantly to prevent contraband entering our prisons. This includes the use of intelligence, regular searching, increased security and our drug dogs. There are currently 12 drug dogs working around the country."

Notes to reporter:

• The six existing DTUs are located at Spring Hill Corrections Facility, Hawkes Bay Prison, Waikeria Prison, Arohata Prison, Rimutaka Prison and Christchurch Men’s Prison.
• The first DTU was opened at Arohata Prison in 1998. there are now 250 DTU beds across the country which give 500 prisoners a year the opportunity to participate in this programme.
• The Department contracts Care NZ to deliver the DTU programmes.

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