Friday, 27 November 2015

Milestone for Whanganui Prison Drug Treatment Programme

Whanganui Prison’s Drug Treatment Programme marked the completion of its 50th three month drug and alcohol programme recently, with a graduation of 10 prisoners.

In total 500 prisoners have graduated from the three month addiction treatment programme since it began in September 2011. The programme is run in conjunction with treatment provider CareNZ.

Addressing alcohol and drug abuse is one of the priority focus areas for Corrections. Two-thirds of New Zealand prisoners have substance abuse problems and more than 50% of crime is committed by people under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Prison Director Reti Pearse said the graduation marked an important milestone for the men and the prison.

“Addressing their addiction to drugs and alcohol is an important step in the men’s rehabilitation.

“With 500 men having graduated from the programme it is a credit to everyone involved, the men, their mentors, unit staff and CareNZ.

“The men can look forward to completing their rehabilitation, education and training programmes and return to their whanau and communities with a positive future,” he said.

CareNZ’s addiction treatment is part of the national Te Tirohanga programme that has the goal of reducing reoffending among Māori offenders by 30% by 2017. The 18 month programme consists of six phases which provides tane with skills and training to help with successful re-integration upon release. Those who identify with substance abuse problems are transferred to the Whanganui whare to complete CareNZ's addiction treatment programme as phase three of Te Tirohanga.

Prisoners who have successfully completed a programme in the whare gain the skills and techniques that will aid them in remaining drug free and in recognising trigger points in their lives that could cause them to relapse.

CareNZ has worked alongside the Department of Corrections in facilitating Drug Treatment Unit (DTU) programmes across New Zealand since 1997, when the first DTU in Arohata Women’s Prison was opened. The programme offered within the prisons is very intensive.

Gill Hood, Chief Operating Officer at CareNZ, highlights the significance of the unit as part of Te Tirohanga.

“We are delighted to be able to work closely with the Department of Corrections and local Iwi to facilitate the drug treatment programme as part of Te Tirohanga. We honour the tane as they have worked really hard over the past three months and have invested a lot of themselves in the programme. They can and should be very proud of their achievements.”

Through structured group work, social skills training and therapy groups the programme addresses factors that influence participants’ alcohol and drug use and therefore contributes to reducing offending behaviour.

There is strict criteria for entry to the programme: most importantly prisoners must acknowledge that they have an addiction and be motivated to make a change in their lives.

“I learnt how to control my triggers and anger. I learnt about being mindful towards others,” says Mark*, a graduate of the programme.

There are nine specialist DTUs around the country with the Whanganui programme uniquely embedded within the Te Tirohanga kaupapa.

Providing increased alcohol and drug treatment is one of the ways Corrections aims to reduce re-offending. Drug and alcohol treatment is also available for prisoners who are not part of a DTU.

A range of drug and alcohol rehabilitation and intervention programmes are also offered to offenders on community sentences.

For more information about Corrections’ drug and alcohol interventions, visit

http://www.corrections.govt.nz/working_with_offenders/prison_sentences/employment_and_support_programmes/rehabilitation_programmes.html

* Not his real name

ENDS

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