Corrections' Central Region has partnered with 15 companies from a wide range of industries to help prisoners and offenders serving sentences in the community find employment.
On average, each partner will take on at least five new employees a year through their agreement with Corrections.
Corrections is working with other companies to help gain employment for offenders with community based sentences. File photo.
Earlier this year, Minister of Corrections Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga challenged the department to get 1000 prisoners into employment on release by 2019.
To achieve the target, Corrections has been identifying employers willing to give prisoners a second chance.
Since July 2015, working alongside Workwise (a contracted provider who works with the department to support job seekers to find and maintain employment), Corrections staff have supported 64 community based offenders into employment, 17 of who were released from prison within the last six months.
Several of the roles have been in construction, roading, forestry and agriculture, all local industries with employee shortages.
Manager Interventions, Programmes and Employment, Louise Wood, understands the importance of preparing both prisoners and community offenders with the skills, support and resilience they require to secure employment.
'It's more than just a matter of placing people into jobs. Corrections have a number of initiatives to help provide the right support at the right time to the right people.
'Working Prisons, providing opportunities for training and qualifications, working with contracted external providers to deliver employment support, employer partnership agreements, and upskilling and utilising our frontline staff so they can deliver employment assistance are all important parts of the puzzle.”
International research demonstrates that stable employment is a significant factor in reducing the risk of re-offending.
'Employment can provide mentorship and structure, as well as the pride that comes with a job well done and earning an income. Having a job makes a significant difference in the lives of offenders as well as those of their whanau, resulting in safer communities,” says Louise.
3 comments
Struggling to get a job?
Posted on 05-11-2015 07:23 | By maildrop
Just commit a crime, do the time, and get a job lined up for you by Corrections. I am not against giving someone an equal opportunity even if they have done wrong and paid their price but this goes too far. These companies are reserving jobs for a specific group of people and excluding others from getting it - is that not a breach of equal employment opportunities? I suppose as it's a government department they can just waive that law.
The New Zealand Justice system??
Posted on 05-11-2015 09:37 | By How about this view!
Why is it that we allow those that CHOOSE to be antisocial and indulge themselves in a criminal lifestyle, to gain special treatment? Good luck to the honest, hard working staff in these workplaces that will now be looking over their shoulders "Just in case". Is there a similar scheme from the unemployed VICTIMS of crime? Maybe crime does pay?? In New Zealand anyway.
Support, not reject.
Posted on 06-11-2015 12:03 | By dreamingofacruise
I think it is a great idea. People make mistakes. Because workplaces are going to be judgmental, people who have done wrong are not going to get a look in as regards getting a job. Lets put some positivity into our communities and help those who need it. Grant there are ones you cannot help, but most just want to move on with their lives and create a future for themselves just like anyone else. Would you rather this happen than just letting them out of prison to fend for themselves and them fall into the wrong crowd again. Rather this than you moaning that it is costing your tax money to keep them in prison.You can only have one or the other. I support this.Just as long as the justice system supports it fully.
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