15 March 2016

Young adult offenders at Northland Region Corrections Facility participate in touch rugby tournament

On Friday, 18 March 2016, Northland Region Corrections Facility (NRCF) is hosting a touch rugby tournament involving a team of young adult offenders from the Kea Unit, and players representing Northland community services and government agencies.

A combined team of NRCF case management officers and TaiTokerau Community Corrections staff members will be participating in the tournament, together with players from the NZ Police, St John, the Rural Fire Authority, the Ministry of Social Development, and Work and Income from Kaikohe, Kawakawa, Kerikeri and Whangarei.

“Research shows that young offenders between the ages of 17 and 24 re-offend at a higher rate than any other group that the Department of Corrections manages,” said Dave Pattinson, NRCF prison director.

“This touch rugby tournament is the first such multi-agency competition of its kind at NRCF, and is aiming to break down barriers between young adult offenders and the services who work with this offender demographic in a support and/or enforcement role in the community.”

The Kea Unit at NRCF has a strong focus on providing appropriate support to young adult offenders away from the mainstream prison units.

Kea Unit residents participate in a range of education and rehabilitation programmes, and are encouraged to take responsibility for their decisions and actions, and develop respect not only for others, but also for themselves.

“Since sport and physical fitness play a key role in the rehabilitation of young adult offenders, we trust the touch rugby day will be a positive event, contributing to constructive engagement and collaboration between all the parties and reducing re-offending,” said Mr Pattinson.

The touch rugby tournament kicks off at 10am at NRCF with a whakatau (welcoming ceremony).

After the tournament, players and guests will enjoy lunch, which will be followed by a prize-giving ceremony.
ends

© Scoop Media