Maori monarch King Tuheitia has made a rare visit to Hawke's Bay to learn more about how the locals run a prisoners' pre-release programme compared to the running of the same project at a prison north of Hamilton.
Te Whare Oranga Ake, run by iwi-connected contracted service providers, was introduced in 2011 at Hawke's Bay Prison, near Hastings, and later at Spring Hill, near Te Kauwhata.
It is aimed at minimising risks of reoffending after prisoners are released, particularly those who have been longer-term inmates and who may have issues reconnecting with a world and communities vastly changed during their incarceration.
The emphasis is on education, training and employment, and taking the offender into the community to establish the connections and support networks necessary for positive reintegration, including accommodation and relationships.
The Corrections Department has established a 24-bed outside-the-wire accommodation unit near the prison in Hawke's Bay, where the service is run by Kahungunu Health Services, under the name Choices, and another of 16 beds near Spring Hill, where the service is delivered by Ngati Naaho, linked to the office of the King. Security is provided by Corrections officers.