The Department of Corrections provides employment and employment related training in prisons to increase the chance that prisoners will obtain sustainable post-release employment. This in turn is expected to reduce the likelihood that prisoners will return to prison.
Many prisoners have little or no experience in the work environment before entering prisons. Many also do not have the knowledge or skills to access support services that may assist them on release.
The Department recognises that achieving post-release employment requires careful planning and delivery of a range of interventions for prisoners, from the time they enter prison, through to their release and transition to the community. This strategy takes an integrated, whole of government approach to getting those in prison into legitimate post-release employment.
The Prisoner Employment Strategy 2006- 2009 creates a framework and programme of work that will help to address the significant skills deficits and obstacles prisoners face in obtaining post release employment, and ultimately contributes to making our communities safer.
A key issue for the strategy will be to ensure an appropriate focus on improving employment outcomes for Māori, through maximising employment related opportunities in prison. This will have significant impacts on the overall reimprisonment rate.
Barry Matthews
Chief Executive