The future of prisoner rehabilitation services in Wanganui is up in the air with the news that its funder is to cease operations.
Three years ago, the Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation Trust (PART) was formed to tender for Corrections Department contracts on behalf of its member societies. But with no reserves and in a difficult environment for raising community funds, the trust will cease trading on January 31.
Wanganui's Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation Society (PARS) was one of 12 member societies supported by the trust to deliver reintegration services to prisoners.
Trust chairwoman Sue Wood said the board had reluctantly made the decision and regretted the impact it would have on its 30 staff. "But the reality is that it was prudent not to continue."
Corrections will now work with other providers to ensure reintegration services continue for prisoners on release.
The spokesman for Rethinking Crime and Punishment, Kim Workman, said the decision was a devastating blow, adding it had the potential "to make prisons less safe".
He was concerned that PARS' work was not always acknowledged or even accepted by Corrections.
"Research shows that the more volunteers engaged with a prison, the safer it is.
"Prisoners are better behaved and more respectful when they constantly interact with volunteers."
Mr Workman said the number of prison volunteers has dropped from 3000 to 2500 in the past five years.
"It is becoming more difficult for volunteers to interact with the prisons and it may be time to consider whether volunteer activity in prisons would be more appropriately managed by an external organisation, rather than the department."
Mr Workman said it was "pleasing to note that Corrections is now working with the individual societies to see what can be salvaged".
"We tend to focus on outputs, such as reducing reoffending, and, in doing so, we underestimate the social value that groups like PART, its workers and volunteers bring to the mix.
" They visit prisoners, provide travel and support to their families, help with clothing, accommodation and employment - and they do so often without financial reward or public recognition."