Kaupapa Maori Prisoner Rehabilitation - One Man’s Dream Fulfilled

“When Pita Sharples officiates at the ceremony marking the beginning of construction of the Whare Oranga Ake Units at Hawkes Bay and Spring Hill Prisons, it will be for him, more than just another ministerial duty”, said Kim Workman (Ngati Kahungunu), Director of Rethinking Crime and Punishment. “It marks over 20 years of his personal involvement with Maori prisoner rehabilitation.”

“The Kaupapa Maori Rehabilitation Units will provide a focussed pre-release setting with day to day programmes contracted out to Maori service providers, with Maori practises, language and values woven through the daily activities. The concept is something that those working with Maori prisoners have sought for many years – the opportunity to promote Maori solutions to Maori problems in Maori contexts.”

As Head of Prisons in the early 1990’s, I attempted to promote the idea of a Kaupapa Maori prison – but the idea fell on deaf ideas. I was heavily influenced by the likes of John Rangihau, Titewhai Harawira, Syd Jackson and Pita himself –the idea that a prison or other such facility run by Maori for Maori, was a valid expression of self-determination or tino rangatiratanga.

“After I left the job, Pita Sharples persisted with the Department, and with the support of Prison Manager Peter Grant, succeeded in establishing the first Maori Focus Unit at Hawkes Bay Prison in the mid 1990’s. There are now five such units throughout the prison system.

“The Whare Oranga Ake units take the concept to a whole new level. It will allow a full expression of Maori understandings, and an opportunity to assess whether it will make a difference. Maori have always understood for example, that the locus for individual behavioural change lies within whanau. Maori do not respond as well as non-Maori to individualised treatment – but whanau expectations and support can make the difference. Finding employment, housing and managing finances are all important things to do – but prisoners rarely succeed in the community, without whanau providing a mix of accountability and support. This unit providers for the right level of whanau and community support and involvement.”

“There will no doubt be detractors. But the underlying principles are the same principles that underpin the whanau ora strategy, - that all Maori want is the opportunity to take full responsibility for their own, in a way that works for us.”

“Let’s face it. Nothing much we have done in prison works. This is an idea whose time has come”

ENDS

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