New Prisoner Reintegration Service a Bold Move

“The decision by the Department of Corrections to fund a very different set of providers to deliver prisoner reintegrative services, is a bold and innovative move”, said Kim Workman, of Rethinking Crime and Punishment. He was commenting on the department’s decision to award contracts to Presbyterian Support Northern, Goodwood Park Healthcare Group, Care NZ, Healthcare Of New Zealand Ltd, and the National Urban Maori Authority.

“It heralds a new phase in the history of Corrections, in that it is a move away from contracting the NGO’s traditionally involved in prisoner reintegration, toward larger corporates with a background in health and social service provision. Some of the successful contractors have no previous experience in the area of prisoner reintegration, but  significant capacity and capability in delivering health and social services.” 

“This move could well see the exit of many traditional providers from the justice sector; and the demise of some.  NGO’s such as the Salvation Army, Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation, Prison Fellowship, and regionally based criminal justice providers, may no longer have a space in which to function.”

“It was something of a surprise move, as the early indications were that the department was looking for national service provision, were encouraging the formation of consortia, emphasising the need for connectivity, and stressing the importance of sector experience.”

“The move toward this new paradigm of delivery was in some ways inevitable.  The social services and health sectors have invested heavily in workforce development over the last 20 – 30 years, and encouraged the development of private corporate development   The criminal justice sector neglected its providers, in the mistaken belief  that the only entity capable of delivering quality services to prisoners, was the department itself.  They are now in a position of playing catch-up, and those NGO’s who have functioned with limited capacity and capability, and relied largely on volunteer support, loyalty and  good will, are surplus to requirements.” 

“There will likely be some criminal justice guns for hire.  The successful contractors would be well advised to buy the experience the need, to complement their existing skills and knowledge.”

Kim Workman
Spokesperson
Rethinking Crime and Punishment

director@rethinking.org.nz

ENDS

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