Kyla
09-22-2004, 02:53 AM
New Plymouth Prison
Background
New Plymouth Prison was originally built as an army hospital during the Taranaki Wars in the 1860s. Later that decade it was designated a prison. Extra wings were built and a perimeter wall was erected. It is the oldest operational penal institution in New Zealand.
New Plymouth Prison holds remand and sentenced male inmates predominantly from the Taranaki region requiring minimum and medium security.
In 1990 a new unit was added to the prison accommodating 42 minimum security inmates. The prison now has a capacity of 109 and generally holds about 103 male inmates.
New Plymouth, Wanganui, Manawatu and Hawke's Bay, Prisons together form the Midland prison region.
Sentence management
The Department of Corrections provides a structured and integrated approach to managing offenders.
On arrival at prison, each inmate is assessed according to their risk of re-offending, the causes and influences of their offending behaviour, and their willingness to change. The assessment also looks at educational needs, health needs, special needs, and security risks.
A sentence plan is drawn up based on this assessment, focusing on giving the offender opportunities to break the cycle of re-offending. The plan may include programmes aimed at giving inmates the skills to deal with challenges they may face when they return to the community, such as budgeting, employment and relationships.
The process allows for the most appropriate form of intervention to be targeted to each offender. Interventions range from providing education and a career start for young offenders, to providing intensive programmes to those offenders motivated to address the causes of their offending.
Corrections has a strategy in place to minimise harm caused by drug use. The strategy aims to reduce the supply and demand of drugs in prison and the crime associated with it. To achieve the strategy, some of the methods used include visitor searches, vehicle checkpoints, use of drug dogs, a national 0800 JAILSAFE phone line, gathering crime related intelligence, liaison with the Police, and Alcohol and Drug inmate rehabilitation programmes.
All New Zealand prisons provide medical, dental, psychological and counselling services. Chaplains provide church services and Bible study groups.
Rehabilitation
A range of programmes has been developed either to improve motivation to change, address educative or employment needs or specifically address what drives an offender's offending behaviour.
The following programmes are offered at New Plymouth Prison:
* Straight Thinking - designed to assist offenders to address one of the main causes of their offending - the lack of critical reasoning required to live effectively in society.
* National Certificate in Employment Skills (NCES) - a pre-employment qualification which offers learning in a range of work related skills.
* Adult Literacy- designed to improve the basic literacy and numeracy levels of inmates.
* Tikanga Maori - designed to address re-offending from a Maori philosophy, values, knowledge and practices perspective.
Returning to the community
The Department believes the successful reintegration of offenders into the community provides the best protection for society. The Department aims to provide offenders with the skills, knowledge and confidence to live successfully in the community in order to reduce their likelihood of re-offending, and a range of reintegrative services is available.
Reintegrative needs are assessed at the start of an offender's sentence, and reviewed throughout. There are seven reintegrative objectives that can be planned for. These are:
* finding a job
* finding somewhere to live
* budgeting effectively
* managing relationships
* developing positive community support
* preventing victim-related problems
* keeping healthy.
There are three levels of assistance, with all offenders receiving "level one" self-help. This includes contact details of organisations that can help them re-settle once they have left prison, and access via case officers to a knowledge base. Some offenders will require greater support from their case officer, and further referral can be made to other specialist staff (e.g. a social worker) or external agencies (e.g. NZPARS) who can provide more in depth support and advice.
For those who do not have the skills to live independently on release, a further level of support is available through reintegrative programmes and/or living in self-care units. These are scheduled for near the end of their period in prison.
Three reintegrative programmes have been developed:
* Living Skills - a 36-hour broad-based programme to give offenders skills and knowledge across most reintegrative areas
* Budgeting Skills - a 10-hour group programme aimed at offenders with specific budgeting and money needs
* Parenting Skills - a 32-hour group programme designed to meet parenting skills needs.
While these programmes are not yet available at all prisons, it is anticipated they will be fully operational by 2004. All three programmes have been designed to meet the specific needs of Maori, Pacific Peoples, women and youth.
Employment
A major area for inmate employment is the revenue-generating native tree nursery. Inmates are also employed in grounds maintenance and kitchen and cleaning activities at the prison. Work for non-profit organisations and on community projects is also encouraged. A bone carving workshop employs up to 10 medium security inmates. Inmates receive a small incentive for the work they do.
Education
There is a part-time education co-ordinator. The prison is involved with the local Polytechnic and inmates may be approved to attend day or evening courses. Courses are available in computer programming.
The National Certificate in Employment Skills is available to inmates at New Plymouth Prison. This is a pre-employment qualification which offers learning in a range of work related skills, including basic literacy and numeracy. NCES is recognised by many industry areas throughout New Zealand. The focus is on improving the educational level of inmates to assist them in gaining future employment.
Cultural plan
This programme recognises the particular needs of Maori inmates in terms of reducing re-offending. It fosters and supports cultural initiatives and developments while recognising the needs of other cultures. The plan aims to integrate cultural activities into New Plymouth Prison and to introduce Maori advocates into the Prison.
Developments and future plans
New Plymouth Prison has an ongoing maintenance program due to the age of the institution. A number of improvements have been, and will continue to be undertaken as time goes by. Safe cells for at-risk offenders have been built, as well as a non-contact booth for visitors of inmates considered unsuitable for contact visits i.e. from drug related offences committed whilst in prison. A wharenui has been erected in the minimum security unit for cultural activities and hui. Toilets and wash basins have been installed in all cells in the old part of the prison. The receiving office has been upgraded and the medical facility has been relocated closer to the receiving office. The education block is currently having an upgrade carried out and a remand day room that will eventually double as a dining area for remands has been finished.
General information
New Plymouth Prison
Private Bag 2038
NEW PLYMOUTH
Telephone (06) 759 7160
Fax (06) 758 5069
Site Manager Lance Kennedy
New Plymouth Prison is situated on Robe and Downe Street, walking distance from the city centre. There is a 24-hour taxi service.
Visiting times
Classification
Day
Time
Remand
Tuesday
Thursday
1.30 - 3.20pm
1.30 - 3.20pm
Sentenced: Unit 1
Sunday
1.30 - 3.20pm
Segregated
Sunday
9am - 11am
Sentenced: Unit 2
Saturday
9am - 1130am
1pm - 3.30pm
Please note: Visitors should ensure that they have a visit time booked with the prison and a letter from the prison confirming this visiting time. Visitors arriving at the prison will be asked by staff to produce their letter of approval, sent prior to the visit, and a form of identification. Other arrangements to visit can be made in special circumstances. Staff may also ask to search a visitor's car, possessions or the visitor.
On occasions the prisons drug dog is used as an aid to detect drugs and other contraband being brought into the prison. All visitors are also required to produce proof of identity and may be required to undergo a search by an officer using a metal detector.
Background
New Plymouth Prison was originally built as an army hospital during the Taranaki Wars in the 1860s. Later that decade it was designated a prison. Extra wings were built and a perimeter wall was erected. It is the oldest operational penal institution in New Zealand.
New Plymouth Prison holds remand and sentenced male inmates predominantly from the Taranaki region requiring minimum and medium security.
In 1990 a new unit was added to the prison accommodating 42 minimum security inmates. The prison now has a capacity of 109 and generally holds about 103 male inmates.
New Plymouth, Wanganui, Manawatu and Hawke's Bay, Prisons together form the Midland prison region.
Sentence management
The Department of Corrections provides a structured and integrated approach to managing offenders.
On arrival at prison, each inmate is assessed according to their risk of re-offending, the causes and influences of their offending behaviour, and their willingness to change. The assessment also looks at educational needs, health needs, special needs, and security risks.
A sentence plan is drawn up based on this assessment, focusing on giving the offender opportunities to break the cycle of re-offending. The plan may include programmes aimed at giving inmates the skills to deal with challenges they may face when they return to the community, such as budgeting, employment and relationships.
The process allows for the most appropriate form of intervention to be targeted to each offender. Interventions range from providing education and a career start for young offenders, to providing intensive programmes to those offenders motivated to address the causes of their offending.
Corrections has a strategy in place to minimise harm caused by drug use. The strategy aims to reduce the supply and demand of drugs in prison and the crime associated with it. To achieve the strategy, some of the methods used include visitor searches, vehicle checkpoints, use of drug dogs, a national 0800 JAILSAFE phone line, gathering crime related intelligence, liaison with the Police, and Alcohol and Drug inmate rehabilitation programmes.
All New Zealand prisons provide medical, dental, psychological and counselling services. Chaplains provide church services and Bible study groups.
Rehabilitation
A range of programmes has been developed either to improve motivation to change, address educative or employment needs or specifically address what drives an offender's offending behaviour.
The following programmes are offered at New Plymouth Prison:
* Straight Thinking - designed to assist offenders to address one of the main causes of their offending - the lack of critical reasoning required to live effectively in society.
* National Certificate in Employment Skills (NCES) - a pre-employment qualification which offers learning in a range of work related skills.
* Adult Literacy- designed to improve the basic literacy and numeracy levels of inmates.
* Tikanga Maori - designed to address re-offending from a Maori philosophy, values, knowledge and practices perspective.
Returning to the community
The Department believes the successful reintegration of offenders into the community provides the best protection for society. The Department aims to provide offenders with the skills, knowledge and confidence to live successfully in the community in order to reduce their likelihood of re-offending, and a range of reintegrative services is available.
Reintegrative needs are assessed at the start of an offender's sentence, and reviewed throughout. There are seven reintegrative objectives that can be planned for. These are:
* finding a job
* finding somewhere to live
* budgeting effectively
* managing relationships
* developing positive community support
* preventing victim-related problems
* keeping healthy.
There are three levels of assistance, with all offenders receiving "level one" self-help. This includes contact details of organisations that can help them re-settle once they have left prison, and access via case officers to a knowledge base. Some offenders will require greater support from their case officer, and further referral can be made to other specialist staff (e.g. a social worker) or external agencies (e.g. NZPARS) who can provide more in depth support and advice.
For those who do not have the skills to live independently on release, a further level of support is available through reintegrative programmes and/or living in self-care units. These are scheduled for near the end of their period in prison.
Three reintegrative programmes have been developed:
* Living Skills - a 36-hour broad-based programme to give offenders skills and knowledge across most reintegrative areas
* Budgeting Skills - a 10-hour group programme aimed at offenders with specific budgeting and money needs
* Parenting Skills - a 32-hour group programme designed to meet parenting skills needs.
While these programmes are not yet available at all prisons, it is anticipated they will be fully operational by 2004. All three programmes have been designed to meet the specific needs of Maori, Pacific Peoples, women and youth.
Employment
A major area for inmate employment is the revenue-generating native tree nursery. Inmates are also employed in grounds maintenance and kitchen and cleaning activities at the prison. Work for non-profit organisations and on community projects is also encouraged. A bone carving workshop employs up to 10 medium security inmates. Inmates receive a small incentive for the work they do.
Education
There is a part-time education co-ordinator. The prison is involved with the local Polytechnic and inmates may be approved to attend day or evening courses. Courses are available in computer programming.
The National Certificate in Employment Skills is available to inmates at New Plymouth Prison. This is a pre-employment qualification which offers learning in a range of work related skills, including basic literacy and numeracy. NCES is recognised by many industry areas throughout New Zealand. The focus is on improving the educational level of inmates to assist them in gaining future employment.
Cultural plan
This programme recognises the particular needs of Maori inmates in terms of reducing re-offending. It fosters and supports cultural initiatives and developments while recognising the needs of other cultures. The plan aims to integrate cultural activities into New Plymouth Prison and to introduce Maori advocates into the Prison.
Developments and future plans
New Plymouth Prison has an ongoing maintenance program due to the age of the institution. A number of improvements have been, and will continue to be undertaken as time goes by. Safe cells for at-risk offenders have been built, as well as a non-contact booth for visitors of inmates considered unsuitable for contact visits i.e. from drug related offences committed whilst in prison. A wharenui has been erected in the minimum security unit for cultural activities and hui. Toilets and wash basins have been installed in all cells in the old part of the prison. The receiving office has been upgraded and the medical facility has been relocated closer to the receiving office. The education block is currently having an upgrade carried out and a remand day room that will eventually double as a dining area for remands has been finished.
General information
New Plymouth Prison
Private Bag 2038
NEW PLYMOUTH
Telephone (06) 759 7160
Fax (06) 758 5069
Site Manager Lance Kennedy
New Plymouth Prison is situated on Robe and Downe Street, walking distance from the city centre. There is a 24-hour taxi service.
Visiting times
Classification
Day
Time
Remand
Tuesday
Thursday
1.30 - 3.20pm
1.30 - 3.20pm
Sentenced: Unit 1
Sunday
1.30 - 3.20pm
Segregated
Sunday
9am - 11am
Sentenced: Unit 2
Saturday
9am - 1130am
1pm - 3.30pm
Please note: Visitors should ensure that they have a visit time booked with the prison and a letter from the prison confirming this visiting time. Visitors arriving at the prison will be asked by staff to produce their letter of approval, sent prior to the visit, and a form of identification. Other arrangements to visit can be made in special circumstances. Staff may also ask to search a visitor's car, possessions or the visitor.
On occasions the prisons drug dog is used as an aid to detect drugs and other contraband being brought into the prison. All visitors are also required to produce proof of identity and may be required to undergo a search by an officer using a metal detector.