Te Korowai Aroha: Brief Pilot programme for High Risk Offenders

Spring Hill Corrections Facility is about to trial a brief pilot programme targeted at addressing the needs of high risk offenders serving short sentences.

Te Korowai Aroha, which means ‘the cloak that supports and protects’, is a safety planning and relapse prevention group programme for prisoners who previously may not necessarily have received the opportunity for assessment and intervention due to the short length of their sentence.

Developed by Corrections Hamilton psychologists, the programme is consistent with other Department initiatives and Regional Operations Manager Heather Mackie is pleased to trial this intervention for a typically ‘hard to reach’ group.

“This pilot programme will target a very specific group of prisoners. These are men who may have been through our doors several times, yet each time have served relatively short sentences. By trialling a programme which is accessible for this group, we may be better able to assist them to interrupt the cycle of offending.”

International research indicates that safety planning and relapse prevention work can reduce recidivism for offender populations. The aim of this pilot is to promote desistance (going crime-free) for short serving offenders who are willing to use the skills gained from this brief intervention.

The pilot programme will see each offender receive a psychological assessment. They will then participate in group sessions focused on helping them to develop a better understanding of why they offend and how they can develop personal safety plans to prevent further offending, including identifying relevant coping strategies or self-regulation skills.

Staff will work with each participant to identify an appropriate support system and facilitate a support system meeting (or whānau hui) to promote understanding of the participant’s risks and coping strategies. .

“We have to take a holistic approach in our interventions and programmes. It is vital that if we are going to help someone to develop necessary skills for rehabilitation, we need to also work with the appropriate whānau or community members who will be supporting them on the outside so they have the necessary knowledge they need to help them to lead positive lives,” says Heather.

Department of Corrections psychologists will deliver the brief, targeted and culturally responsive programme which consists of an assessment phase followed by a group treatment phase of two hour sessions over four weeks for groups of five men. Supplementary one-on-one sessions will also be available where necessary.

ENDS

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