
Restorative Reintegration - A New Approach to Prisoner Aftercare in New Zealand
There are around 8000 prisoners currently in the prison system. There will be a further 1000
prisoners in the system by 2011. Around 9000 prisoners are released from prison each year.
About 50% of all released prisoners will receive a Corrections reintegration plan on leaving.
The remaining 4,500 will get their $350 and a bus ticket.
The first 3 – 6 months is the crucial period for released prisoners. Many prisoners walk out
of prison, determined to make a new start. The first 3 – 6 months are critical. They need
help with housing, employment, debt management, and family and community relationships.
If they get help from mentors and the community in the first six months, the chance of
them reoffending drops by around 40%. If they face barriers, red tape, and stigmatization, it
becomes difficult to keep on the straight and narrow. That is where Prison Fellowship
comes in.
Over the last four years, Prison Fellowship has developed a holistic approach to prisoner
reintegration known as “Restorative Reintegration”
Last modified 2008-02-21 07:29
