Carving puts inmate on right track

A prisoner works on one of four carvings destined for Whangaparaoa College. Photo/Peter de Graaf

A Northland man who has spent much of his life in jail says learning to carve has put his life back on track.

The prisoner, who cannot be named, is coming to the end of his seventh lag behind bars - but this time it will be a different man who's let out.

The Ngapuhi man had never touched a chisel until he was chosen for a whakairo (carving) programme at Paremoremo Prison three years ago. When that programme closed six months ago he was transferred north, with a few other key inmates, to get a carving workshop off the ground at Ngawha Prison near Kaikohe.

''It's helped me get my life back on track. I can see my ideas come to life though a piece of wood. I'm Maori, I can't speak the language, but this is my way of being connected to the culture.''

His epiphany came when he was asked to carve a waka for the family of Chief District Court Judge Russell Johnson, who died in 2011. At first he refused to go to the presentation ceremony.

''I thought they'd look down their noses at me, but it really hit me when the waka was unveiled and the whole room, full of judges and his family, burst into tears .. and I realised I can do good.''

The prisoner said he had had a rough upbringing and had been a gang president, but had left that behind to focus on carving. He was in the workshop almost seven days a week.

''We only get paid crumbs, but it's the skills I'm earning.''

Those skills have been recognised by Arts Access Aotearoa and the Parole Board sees carving as a viable employment option once he is released. Next week he will move to a self-care unit outside the wire, the last step before his release.

''I used to think no one would want to employ me when I get out, but now I've got my job right here,'' he said, showing his hands.

Ngawha Prison's whakairo programme currently has eight carefully selected inmates and two tutors. One is Israe Paraone, who has a Master's degree in fine arts, and the other is an inmate serving a 22-year sentence who also transferred from Paremoremo. A self-taught painter, illustrator and carver, he discovered an extraordinary artistic talent behind bars.

Corrections contracts manager Mark Lynds said the community benefited from the carving projects the inmates worked on and because they were less likely to reoffend once released.

''I've seen the change in the men that go through the workshop. They become different people, who have dreams and aspirations that don't involve criminal intent.''

Public works by Ngawha prisoners include a 2m-long waka for Tikipunga High School's bilingual unit, seats along an Orewa walkway and carvings for a new preschool at Ohaeawai. They are currently working on a series of carvings for Whangaparaoa College and are about to start a project for Ohaeawai School.

The prison currently offers a level four NorthTec course in drawing and design and plans a level 3 carving course.