Pasifika history and culture an important part of rehabilitation

Sixteen prisoners graduated this week from the prison-based Malaga Polynesia programme run at Spring Hill Corrections Facility in Waikato.

"The theme of the programme was 'A Polynesian Journey in Samoa'. The programme helps the men to reflect on their cultural backgrounds, whether they are from Samoa, Tonga, Niue or the Cook Islands, and how they can amalgamate their island identities within a New Zealand society," says Regional Adviser Pacific, Le'au Asenati Lole-Taylor, who co-facilitates the programme with volunteer Reverend Paulo Ieli.

Thirteen of the prisoners who graduated are housed in the prison's Pacific Focus Unit, the only unit of it's type in New Zealand. The unit was built at Spring Hill to provide culturally-based rehabilitation programmes for Pacific men convicted of serious violent offending. Alongside the unit is the prison fale - a cultural space for running rehabilitation programmes or other activities. Prisoners attending the programme are also involved in other rehabilitation programmes and work activities to address the causes of their offending and provide them with the skills needed for a crime-free life following release from prison.

"Research has shown that support for prisoners from their own communities greatly assists their reintegration when they are released from prison," says Mrs Lole-Taylor.

The programme covers four main areas. Identity (fa'asinomaga) where prisoners learn about the significance of names and language and how these affect their identities, family (aiga) where prisoners discuss the importance of family and the wider community, trades (agava'a) which focuses prisoners on household tasks and developing trades to contribute to society and build self esteem, and socialising (va fealoaloai ma isi tagata) which supports the importance of participation in community events - including the role of the church.

"We acknowledge the on-going support of Samoan High Commissioner, His Excellency Asi Tuiataga Fa'afili Blackelock and Lady Letelesa Helen Blackelock who attended the graduation ceremony to witness for themselves the work the prisoners had done. They were very impressed with the art and performances by prisoners and His Excellency spoke of his pleasure that the Department offered such activities for prisoners."

ENDS

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