Entry criteria
Each referred prisoner is interviewed prior to placement in the MFU to ensure that they meet the following entry criteria:
-
has no more than 24 months remaining on their sentence left to serve (ideally prisoners’ placements in the unit conclude at the same time as their custodial sentences expire)
-
is in one of the following Prison Services’ Sentence Management categories of ‘Intervention” or “Maintenance’
-
has completed a pre-entry Tikanga Maori Programme, or agrees to undertake a Tikanga Maori Programme immediately upon entry to the Unit
-
agrees to comply with the kaupapa of the unit (prior to entry to the Unit, prisoners give written consent to comply with all requirements, including unit policy on drug use)
-
has no positive drug tests within the eight weeks prior to entry
-
has completed any necessary detoxification processes prior to entry to the Unit, except for prescribed medicines
-
is not suffering from any psychiatric, intellectual or physical disability that would prevent adequate participation in the life of the Unit
-
is fully informed about, and consents to enter, the Unit and any identified treatment programmes.
Pre-entry screening of referred prisoners
In interviewing referred prisoners, the Manager interviews the applicant to determine his:
-
understanding of the kaupapa of the Unit (in particular their motivation towards addressing their offending)
-
understanding the rules/code of conduct (in particular the need to leave gang connections behind)
-
reasons for wanting to be in the Unit.
In all cases, the manager clearly records the reasons for all decisions made. Prisoners are informed of the outcome of the interview and the referring Case Manager/Unit is also advised.
Depending on vacancies, accepted prisoners will go on a wait-list in order of timing of acceptance, and are transferred to the Maori Focus Unit as places become available.
