Purpose
Maori Focus Units (MFUs) contribute to reducing re-offending by:
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using Tikanga Maori to motivate and rehabilitate prisoners within a therapeutic community in a custodial environment
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providing prisoners with an opportunity to explore and strengthen their knowledge of Tikanga Maori in order to address their offending behaviours
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working closely with local marae, iwi and hapu, programme providers and the prisoner’s whanau to support prisoners to work toward a responsible and pro-social life in the community.
UNLESS specifically stated otherwise MFUs are subject to standard operating procedures.
The therapeutic environment
When an MFU is functioning well, everyone (prisoners, staff, kuia and kaumatua and programme providers) within the Unit ensure the following things take place on a daily basis:
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role-modelling for one another and pro-social behaviour, including constructive ways of coping with conflict and frustration
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discussions on the ways in which Tikanga Maori promotes a pro-social lifestyle, and which point out the conflict and inconsistency between Tikanga values and anti-social acts
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suggestions to prisoners on how Tikanga Maori values and principles have relevance to their current actions, decisions or circumstances
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prisoners are given feedback about their anti-social attitudes and behaviour, as these appear in the Unit, and about the effect their behaviour has on others
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residents offer each other supportive suggestions on how to handle situations more constructively (e.g. to verbalise thoughts and feelings rather than acting them out behaviourally)
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senior residents take responsibility for supporting and containing newer members of the community, and for transmitting the Unit culture to them
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prisoners are given positive feedback by their peers, when this is appropriate, to enhance their confidence and self-esteem.
Residents are encouraged to treat every aspect of their life in the community, from the simplest interaction with another resident, through to the structured programmes, as opportunities to learn. They constantly reflect on the meaning of Tikanga, and its relevance to their actions and beliefs. It is expected that, through this process of being present and participating in the life of the MFU, residents can achieve lasting positive change.
Funding
Additional funding is available to the MFU for the following:
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staff training
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other payments – kuia and kaumatua service provision and expenses, koha, expenses relating to food
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Tikanga Maori and Te Reo for prisoners
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Maori Therapeutic Programmes
