10 October 2012
For immediate release

Inside and out: JustSpeak forum to look at rehabilitation of offenders

Earlier this year, the Government announced that it was putting $65 million dollars of reprioritised funding into rehabilitation of offenders, aiming to reduce reoffending rates by 25 percent by 2017. But what does rehabilitation involve? What works well? And what does success look like?

A forum in Wellington tonight provides an opportunity to discuss the rehabilitation of offenders, both in prison and in the community. JustSpeak, a non-partisan network of young people who seek to encourage a new generation of debate around criminal justice issues, will host a panel discussion and a chance for people to learn more and talk about rehabilitation.

This month’s forum will feature a panel of speakers who are specialists in both alcohol and drug and other forms of rehabilitation, working with offenders in both community and prison settings:
• Jo Claridge - Clinical Team leader at Welltrust, a Youth drug and alcohol service, which provides drug education and intervention services.
• Richard Benge - Executive Director - Arts Access Aotearoa | Whakahauhau Katoa o Hanga, which advocates for people in New Zealand who experience barriers to participation in the arts, as both creators and audience members.
• Dr David Wales – Assistant General Manager for Programme Design and Development for the Department of Corrections. David has also acted as Assistant General Manager of Rehabilitation and Reintegration Services.

“JustSpeak believes that the best response to criminal offending is rehabilitative, not punitive. To enable those who offend to reintegrate into society successfully and reduce reoffending, it is important to treat them as individuals with their own specific needs, and to support them to address a range of factors in their lives, both individual and social.” said Emily Bruce.

“As a group of young people, JustSpeak is keen to explore creative and innovative ways of engaging with people who offend. We are very interested in encouraging evidence-based approaches to rehabilitation.”

JustSpeak also notes some key issues in rehabilitation: mental health and addiction issues are very common among people who offend and are a significant challenge for rehabilitation. This forum falls in Mental Health Week; it is important to consider how the justice system responds to people with mental health issues.

“There are also wider societal and community influences that are key in affecting rehabilitation and reintegration, such as the stigma and discrimination that former prisoners experience.”

As well, JustSpeak recognises the value in culturally appropriate approaches to rehabilitation, especially those that use Māori perspectives.

The forum will be held on Wednesday 10 October from 6.00 pm at St John’s in the City, corner of Willis and Dixon St. It is a free and open event. Media are welcome.
Contact: Emily Bruce, justspeaknz@gmail.com or 027 349 6498.

Background:

JustSpeak was formed at the beginning of 2011 as the youth arm of Rethinking Crime and Punishment. The guiding ethos driving JustSpeak is that young people have much to offer to the national conversation on criminal justice. Among other things, young people bring an imaginative outlook, a feeling of urgency, and a sense of hope. Since forming, JustSpeak has made a number of contributions, including holding a series of monthly forums in both Wellington and Auckland.

These forums aim to bring together young people from different backgrounds to educate and upskill members on issues of criminal justice. Topics have previously included Maori and the Criminal Justice System, Vulnerable Children, Drugs and the Criminal Justice System, Boot Camps, the Political Response to Criminal Justice Issues, and Media and the Criminal Justice System. JustSpeak expanded to Auckland in August 2012. For more information, visit justspeak.org.nz.

ENDS

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