March 17, 2017
Kingitanga backing Corrections plan
The Kingitanga has agreed to work with Corrections to improve outcomes for Maori offenders.
Corrections Minister Louise Upston says an accord, signed yesterday by King Tuheitia and Corrections chief executive Ray Smith, commits the parties to work together to share information and identify and develop initiatives around the cultural, social, physical and economic health and wellbeing of Maori offenders.
She says research indicates programmes, activities and therapy have the most impact when matched with a person’s cultural background.
Corrections already has initiatives aimed at reducing reoffending among Maori, from recruitment and staff training, to its programmes and facilities.
About 300 places in prison are set aside for Te Tirohanga, a Maori tikanga-based therapeutic community environment running out of whare in five prisons.
Corrections has also established a Maori Advisory Board with representatives from seven iwi organisations to provide advice and input on policy development and the design of services aimed at reducing reoffending by Maori.
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