News Release

For immediate release 20 October 2014

Prison Drug Treatment Unit marks a milestone

Christchurch Men’s Prison’s Drug Treatment Unit (DTU) celebrated the completion of its 50th six month Drug and Alcohol Programme today, with the graduation of a further twelve offenders.

In total 451 prisoners have graduated from the DTU’s six month drug and alcohol rehabilitation programme since it was opened in 2006. The programme is run in conjunction with treatment provider CareNZ.

More than 50% of crime in New Zealand is committed by people under the influence of drugs and alcohol and two-thirds of prisoners have substance abuse problems.

“This is a significant milestone for Corrections, the prisoners graduating and for the community,” says John Roper, Prison Manager Christchurch Men’s Prison.

“Drugs and Alcohol are significant contributors to crime in New Zealand. By tackling drug and alcohol addiction, we’re giving people a shot at a new offence-free life, a new start for them and their families, and this in turn improves public safety for everyone”

Providing increased alcohol and drug treatment is one of the ways the Department aims to reduce re-offending by 25% by 2017.

Prisoners who have successfully completed a course in the DTU gain the skills and techniques that will aid them in remaining drug free and in recognising trigger points in their lives that could cause them to relapse.

CareNZ has worked alongside the Department of Corrections in facilitating Drug Treatment Units across New Zealand since 1997, when the first DTU in Arohata Prison was opened. The programme offered within the prisons is very intensive and twelve prisoners will graduate from the 50th course at Christchurch Men’s Prison.

“Through the DTU programme I have learnt to build a solid foundation in terms of self-esteem and confidence. I now have a clearer understanding that some of my old beliefs and thinking styles have lead me down the path of negative behaviours,” Jason (not his real name.

“Today we celebrate the achievement of the men graduating from our programme. Entering treatment is not an easy option, it takes courage to change. The example the graduates today have set gives others hope that they too can turn their lives around, for the benefit of themselves, their whānau and the community,” says Kathryn Leafe, CEO of CareNZ.

“Research into the effectiveness of our Drug Treatment Units has shown that people who have been through the drug treatment programmes commit less crime.”

The DTU is a separate 60 bed unit, away from the mainstream prison. Operating as a Therapeutic Community, it provides a supportive and caring environment. The community (i.e. prisoners and staff) work together to establish an environment in which participants feel safe to address their own issues. The programme is supported by the use of mentors, who themselves are graduates of a DTU. Through structured group work, social skills training and therapy groups the programme addresses factors that influence participants’ alcohol and drug use and therefore contributes to reducing offending behaviour.

There is strict criteria for entry to the programme; most importantly prisoners must acknowledge that they have an addiction and be motivated to make a change in their lives.

There are nine specialist Drug Treatment Units around the country. There is also a range of drug and alcohol rehabilitation and intervention programmes offered to offenders on community sentences.

Corrections is committed to reducing reoffending by 25% by 2017. A strategy to achieve this goal is expanding available drug and alcohol initiatives. This will mean, by 2017:

• 4,000 more prisoners a year in expanded alcohol and drug programmes

• 1,200 prisoners a year receiving brief alcohol and drug interventions from health staff

• • 5,800 more community offenders a year receiving externally provided alcohol and drug programmes

• 22,000 community offenders a year receiving brief alcohol and drug interventions from probation officers

Since 2012, Corrections has delivered 33,355 drug and alcohol interventions to more than 17,360 offenders, in prison and the community.

ENDS

Note to reporter:

Drug Treatment Units provide a group-based programme in a therapeutic environment for prisoners with alcohol and drug related issues.

The programme teaches prisoners about addiction, change, relapse and the effects of their actions upon others. The aim of the programme is to reduce re-offending by assisting participants to address their dependence on alcohol and other drugs.

The Minister of Corrections recently released a media release about an increase in drug and alcohol treatment for prisoners: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/massive-rise-prisoner-drug-and-alcohol-treatment.

For more information about drug and alcohol treatment please see our website: http://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/tackling_alcohol_and_drug_abuse.html.

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