31 July
Corrections' Community Probation and Psychological Services (CPPS) staff in Porirua are delighted their efforts and those of community work teams are being appreciated by residents.
Wellington Area Manager Matire Kupenga-Wanoa was rapt to receive a letter from a member of the public thanking one of her community work supervisors and his team for recent work done in a public reserve.
The resident was delighted at the changes to the Bothamley Park walkway after a team of community workers had cleared the gorse, rubbish and other shrubbery from the area.
She said she had lived in the Champion Street area for around 30 years and had never seen the area look so good. She said it had given locals a real sense of pride.
Matire says this is exactly the kind of feedback which motivates both staff and offenders.
"The supervisors definitely get a buzz out of knowing they've done a good job, and the offenders themselves are proud to know their work has made a tangible difference to the community."
Annually, New Zealand communities benefits from almost 3 million hours of labour supplied through Community Work sentences.
Community Work sentences require offenders to do unpaid work in the community for non-profit organisations as reparation for their offending.
"The offenders get a real sense of pride for their efforts. They're giving something back to the community, which is a positive outcome for the offenders, as they can see their hard work benefiting other people," says Matire.
For more information, please contact the Communications Service Desk:
Phone: (04) 460 3365
Email: commdesk@corrections.govt.nz
After hours: (021) 761 828
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