The opening of the New Zealand Department of Corrections’ new faith-based unit at Rimutaka Prison in Wellington in November marked a new approach to reducing re-offending in New Zealand.
The 60-bed unit uses Christian-focused teachings and programmes to help put offenders on the right track when they are released.
“The unit’s Christian activities and programmes complement and supplement the inmates’ existing sentence plans,” says General Manager Public Prisons Service, Phil McCarthy.
“Faith has a role to play in reducing re-offending. With the right support, there are plenty of examples of people transformed, who leave behind gangs and a life of crime after becoming a Christian in prison.”
The unit is based on similar facilities in the United States that have achieved low re-offending rates. It has been developed in partnership with the Prison Fellowship of New Zealand (PFNZ), which promotes church-based ministry to present and former inmates and their families, their victims and those in the justice sector.
Inmates in the faith-based unit continue to follow regular prison routines and attend standard rehabilitative programmes, education and employment activities as per their sentence plans.
Both staff and inmates must volunteer for the faith-based unit. Inmates must have a low or minimum security classification and meet certain criteria before being considered. Inmates do not have to be Christian but are expected to have a desire to explore the Christian faith.