GUEST BLOG: Jackie Foster – PETITIONING SEEMS THE ONLY WAY FORWARD.
I have blogged a few times around my concern of the lack of rehabilitation our most vulnerable citizens receive at the most important stages of their life journey.
Having a clear understanding of where we, as a country, and corrections as a government department are failing these people, I decided to petition the house of representatives.
As you all probably know, a petition must be sponsored into the house for consideration, which clearly says only common-sense reasoning is accepted, so I wrote to all major political party representatives asking for their support. Seven days later I got acknowledgment and acceptance.
For me this isn’t about recognition or notoriety, it is all about engaging the people who can create change at the highest level, and it gives me a sense of confidence that there are actually some politicians that are looking at the bigger picture, also knowing that one person or a small group such as Social Justice Aotearoa can actually create change for the better.
Please, everyone have a read of the petition below which will hopefully give you a clear understanding of where I see us as a country failing people in need, maybe some of you may even agree and sign it.
Petition request
That the House of Representatives amend section 52 of the Corrections Act to require rehabilitation programs for prison inmates be established within 12 months of imprisonment.
Petition reason
While section 52 of the Corrections Act requires that the chief executive must provide his opinion as to whether rehabilitative programs are beneficial to an imprisoned inmate, we suggest that the section should be amended to add that the chief executive’s opinion must be provided at the earliest opportunity – and no later than within the first twelve months of an inmate’s sentence. We believe this change will be beneficial for both the inmate and our country.
Jackie Foster is the CEO of Social Justice Aotearoa.
Kia ora Jackie
Chairman for NZ Parole Board, Sir Ron Young wrote to Corrections Minister, Kelvin Davis, to voice his serious concerns regarding timing of rehabilitation and inadequate resourcing.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/parole-board-says-prisoners-waiting-years-for-rehab-psychological-help/GJRGISQNAINT4HPGOYBZ64TPME/
He says “the most common reason why the Board refuses parole is because offenders have neither started nor finished relevant rehabilitation. The problem was particularly severe when it came to access to psychologists.”
Kelvin Davis denied there was a resourcing problem yet less than a month ago, I personally received a letter from the mouthpiece for the Director of one of the prisons. In his letter he says: “Unfortunately there is a shortage of Psychologists in New Zealand, including within Corrections and demand on Psychologists has become increasingly overwhelming with high waitlists.”
Jackie, Sir Ron was appointed to his current office in 2018 and has worked tirelessly on serious issues caused by this very change you propose.
I commend you on your commitment and tenacity to address this ongoing issue that if implemented, will have a positive impact on so many New Zealanders. Not just those in the Corrections system and their whanau, but the tax payers as well.
Nga mihi
Moana