Justice Sector Agencies and NGOs Commit to Greater Collaboration

An inaugural meeting last week between a core group of Justice Sector NGO’s known as the Justice Coalition, and the Justice Sector Leadership Board, will lead to improved collaboration across the justice sector, said Coalition spokesperson, Kim Workman.

“One of the initial goals of the newly formed Coalition, was to establish a positive and ongoing relationship with Justice Sector Chief Executives”, said Kim Workman. “We all saw the benefits of an open and honest dialogue across the sector. Coalition membership at this stage includes the Salvation Army, the Howard League of Penal Reform, Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation, Victim Support, Community Law Centres, the Robson Hanan Trust (Rethinking Crime and Punishment), Restorative Justice Aotearoa, Prison Fellowship, Women’s’ Refuge, and the Henwood Trust.

“We want to work together to promote and pursue the development and implementation of just, humane and effective justice sector strategies. With a single united voice and coordinated effort, we believe we can more effectively contribute to the Better Public Service Reducing Crime and Reoffending Action Plan .

“We are unlikely to achieve that result in the absence of a positive and transparent relationship with the Chief Executives of Justice, Corrections, the Police, and the Ministry of Social Development. This initial meeting with the Justice Sector Leadership Board was a first step toward communicating our existence and intent and to start building a framework for on-going engagement. Topics on the agenda included the Better Public Service strategy, the contracting framework, the sector-wide development of restorative justice, prisoner reintegration, and justice sector research.”

The meeting was sponsored by Corrections CEO Ray Smith, and was attended by senior managers from Justice, Corrections and the Police.

© Scoop Media