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Pacific Regional Heads of Prisons 2005 Brisbane, Australia 1-3 June 2005

Pacific Regional Heads of Prisons 2005 Brisbane, Australia 1-3 June 2005. Ethnic and Cultural Issues New Zealand Department of Corrections Presented by: Phil McCarthy Leatuavao Viko Aufaga. Introduction. “Tata le sualiu nei a’afia le folauga”

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Pacific Regional Heads of Prisons 2005 Brisbane, Australia 1-3 June 2005

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  1. Pacific Regional Heads of Prisons 2005Brisbane, Australia1-3 June 2005 Ethnic and Cultural IssuesNew Zealand Department of CorrectionsPresented by:Phil McCarthyLeatuavao Viko Aufaga

  2. Introduction “Tata le sualiu nei a’afia le folauga” “Bail the canoe or our voyage will not reach its destination”

  3. Challenges Corrections faces two key challenges in reducing the reoffending of Pacific offenders: • the youthfulness of the Pacific offender population • the seriousness of the offences committed by Pacific offenders Both of these elements feed into the predicted increase in the Pacific offending population.

  4. Pacific Strategy • “By Pacific, for Pacific” • “More Pacific staff, more Pacific solutions” The Pacific Strategy has four goals: • Reducing re-offending of Pacific offenders • Responding to increased demand to accommodate the needs of Pacific peoples • Enhancing organisational capability to be responsive to the needs of Pacific People • Establishing formal working relationships with Pacific peoples.

  5. New Zealand and Pacific Island born prisoners Research findings: • Differences – fluency in languages - attitudes towards the role of family • Commonalities - pride in being of Pacific descent - strong affiliation with other Pacific Prisoners Conclusions: • Differences did not justify the design or delivery of entirely separate, tailored programmes • However, flexibility is needed to ensure responsivity to the diversity of Pacific prisoners.

  6. Pacific Focus Unit The Pacific Focus Unit (PFU) will have the following operating principles: • A Pacific Focus • Pride • Strengthening Relationships • Safety.

  7. Pacific Focus Unit Aiga/fanau concept as an integral part of the PFU. The PFU will have both a fale and umu, which will provide: • a venue for cultural events and activities which contribute to successful rehabilitation and reintegration • an area where prisoners, their families and Corrections staff, as well as the wider community, may interact. E lē o le fale, aē o le anō-fale The essence or the purpose of having a fale is more important than the fale itself.

  8. Fautua Pasefika Fautua Pasefika have been granted greater and easier access to Pacific peoples in prison. Their roles include: • support and advising on cultural or other specific needs • providing spiritual or religious guidance • advocating on behalf of Pacific communities on issues affecting the well-being of prisoners.

  9. Saili Matagi • Pacific interventions • Saili Matagi is a violence prevention programme for Pacific prisoners convicted of serious violent offences • The name comes from a Samoan proverb and means “in search of winds” • Incorporates the principles of Western psychological concepts with Pacific beliefs and cultural principles and values.

  10. Pacific Community Liaison Officer • Communication conduit between Corrections and Pacific communities • Enhancing the relationship between Corrections and the Pacific community • A more informed Pacific community • A more responsive Corrections • Work together to manage and reduce re-offending by Pacific offenders.

  11. Chief Executive’s Pacific Advisory Group The Chief Executive’s Pacific Advisory Group (CEPAG) has been established to provide direct advice and feedback to the Chief Executive on: • Strategic policy • Operational issues CEPAG also provides feedback and input from the Pacific communities into Corrections’ activities.

  12. In conclusion “O le tele o sulu e maua ai figota, e māmā se avega pea tatou amo fa’atasi” “My strength does not come from me alone but from many”

  13. Discussion Topics Possible areas of discussion include: • conviction statistics • violent offences • low rate of re-offending • the role of the Pacific community in the reintegration of Pacific offenders.

  14. Discussion Topics continued. • What ideas do PRHP representatives have which could assist Corrections in dealing with Pacific prisoners? • What are the advantages in bringing Pacific Peoples together in prison? • How should that be balanced with regional prison policy so that prisoners can be near family? • Operationally will the general PFU concept work? • What problems can PRHP representatives foresee with the PFU model? • How can Pacific families and the church assist in the rehabilitation and reintegration of Pacific offenders? • What issues in general affect Pacific prisoners?

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