Salvation Army Supports Gang Member’s Work at Prison

Lt Colonel Ian Hutson, Director of The Salvation Army’s Social Policy Unit today indicated support for Mr Ngapari Nui based on the contribution he is understood to have made at Whanganui Prison.

“Ngapari’s past and his ongoing relationships with people in the wider gang whānau and community, allied to evidence he has made changes in his life, make him an ideal person to initiate the same kind of change in others.”

It is disappointing to hear that Ngapuri’s work in the prison has been terminated apparently for no other reason than his affiliation to Black Power. “People within the gang community looking to impact positive change for their whānau should be supported,” said Hutson.

“Since 2009, The Salvation Army has ten times run a six- to eight-week residential addiction programme in partnership with the Notorious Chapter of the Mongrel Mob and has seen very positive results in reduction of crime, improved health, employment and other beneficial outcomes.”

Without initiatives of this kind a highly marginalised group such as this will remain on the edge of society impervious to sometimes expensive mainstream efforts to achieve change that reduces crime and other negative impacts of poverty.
Hutson calls on the Minister to reconsider her decision to reject Ngapuri’s access to and involvement with prisoners as a step toward making a difference in the lives of prison inmates. “Surely that’s what New Zealand is after when it incarcerates people – that people will be rehabilitated?”

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