Fresh Start Inc. Information Update

FRESH START INC.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE OFFICE

P.O. Box 2102,
MASTERTON
(Wellington Office: Box 22-145, Wellington) New Zealand

Phone: 64 . 6 . 370.1173
FAX: 64 . 6 . 370.1115
Mobile: 025 804.938
Email: keith.fresh@xtra.co.nz
INFORMATION UPDATE
October 16, 2000

Note to:
Ministers of Employment, Justice, Corrections and Maori Affairs,
Members of Parliament
All National Committee Members, Patrons,
NZEF and Employer & Manufacturer Assns
Departments of Corrections and Work and Income &
Other interested persons.

Fresh Start Performance Report for month of September 2000 and the first quarter for the Y/ ended June 30, 2001

Fresh Start and its clients had a record first quarter. More than 120 clients were assisted into employment – 82 into permanent jobs with a further 45 placed into work experience jobs or into pre-employment training.

Area July Aug
Permanent
Placements Sept
Total Work
Experience Others
Assisted into
Employment Comment
Northern 13 28 18 59 43* 3**
*3 Month total
Eastern/WCNI/
Wton 7 3 4 14 1 1
Southern 3 4 2 9 1

Total
23
35
24
82
45*

3**
*3 Month total

Notes:
 Work experience. These placements are “temporary” jobs for persons who, if they prove suitable, may have their jobs converted into permanent positions. They are not included in “permanent: placements until those appointments become “permanent”. Also included in these figures are clients placed with CNI for a six-week pre-employment forest work training course.

** Long-term WINZ clients placed because no suitable Fresh Start clients were available to fill those positions

Ethnicity of client base and those placed in employment:

During the quarter there was a sharp increase in the number of Polynesian clients, but overall the numbers remain roughly in proportion to the prison population, namely: Caucasian – 30.3%; Maori 54.3 %; Polynesian 12.6%; and Other 2.8%

Note re first quarter highlights:

During the quarter efforts made over the past few months came to fruition whereby a significant long-term arrangement was established with a major employer of forest labour in the central North Island. CNI (Central North Island Forest Management) has become a major source of job placements for fresh Start clients. Clients from the Hawkes Bay, East Coast, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Auckland regions have been placed with this organisation. Similar arrangements have been established with an organisation supplying labour to major projects in the Auckland and Waikato regions.

~~ ~ ~ ~ ~
BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Fresh Start's operational principles include:
* A commitment by all ex-offenders NOT to re-offend and to remain drug free;
* Full disclosure (to Fresh Start and employers) of criminal convictions by Fresh Start job applicants;
* Non discriminatory employment practices (by employers) against persons with criminal convictions where the convictions) are not relevant to a job;
* Demonstrated commitment by all Fresh Start registrants to a way of life that accepts and embraces societal norms;

2. Objectives - Fresh Start's current 3-year plan (99-02) includes the following objectives:
* To foster among all employers a willingness to employ ex-offenders
* To work in partnership with clients, families and employers to promote the employment of ex-offenders
* To encourage ex-offenders and families to contribute positively to the resolution of their own problems

3. Outcomes
* Strengthening family relationships and less family and other violence
* Less personal and family reliance on Social Welfare Active contributor to the community
* Better attitude to drugs / alcohol and reduced crime and recidivism

4. Expected impact
The rate of recidivism will be reduced with consequential reductions in family violence and other offending. Substantial financial and social benefits will accrue and result in a safer more productive society. International studies support this contention. International studies in the United Kingdom and the United States of America support the contention that programmes such as Fresh Start contribute to a major reduction in re-offending.
Fresh Start's Mission Statement -
Reducing re-offending and promoting a safer society by providing employment opportunities for persons with criminal convictions.

© Scoop Media