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
ENDS