Otago Prison Cuts Constructive Programs, Impacting Rehabilitation

Documents obtained through the Official Information Act reveal that the number of constructive activities available at the Otago Corrections Facility (OCF) near Milton has significantly decreased. Over the past decade, the facility offered approximately 20 such programs, but only six remain operational today. This decline has raised concerns about the impact on prisoner rehabilitation, particularly following the challenges posed by Covid-19 and the withdrawal of external service providers.

Prisoners at OCF used to participate in various programs, including knitting, drama, and a book club. Lorraine Isaacs QSM, who led the Milton Men’s Prison Book Club for two years until the pandemic halted its operations, commented on the loss of these opportunities. “I think that the fortnightly experience gave the men a glimpse of the outside world which they would be joining when their sentence was completed,” she stated. Isaacs emphasized that these educational experiences played a significant role in the rehabilitation process.

The decline in available programs marks a stark contrast to 2019, when the facility introduced around ten new options, such as a book club, a partnership with Dog Rescue, and yoga classes. However, creative initiatives like the Happy You drama program and a creative writing newsletter were discontinued due to provider changes and staff turnover. Other projects, including the Māori art program and the Story Reading Dads initiative, which allowed incarcerated fathers to record messages for their children, were also terminated.

Laura Black, Director of Methodist Mission Southern, pointed out the ineffectiveness of prisons in reducing recidivism rates. “In the mission’s experience, there are things that can be done that can help once prison is unavoidable,” she noted. Black highlighted the importance of addressing underlying issues such as substance abuse, trauma, and literacy to foster better outcomes for prisoners.

New Zealand is grappling with high rates of reoffending, particularly within two years of release. Black argued for a shift in approach, stating, “We can and should look to do better than lock ’em up — again and again and again. We all wear the consequences of New Zealand’s high imprisonment rates — in further offending and wasted lives.”

Leigh Marsh, Commissioner of Custodial Services, underscored the primary goal of constructive activities as providing prisoners with meaningful engagement and time out of their cells. He clarified that participation in these activities is not mandatory and does not influence eligibility for release. Ongoing activities at OCF now include self-directed art sessions, Seasons for Growth programs addressing change and loss, and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Marsh emphasized that constructive activities are distinct from a broader range of rehabilitation services aimed at equipping inmates with essential life skills. These services encompass educational programs, vocational training, mental health support, and cultural initiatives designed to address the root causes of offending. Case managers work closely with prisoners to assess their needs and tailor rehabilitation strategies that not only reduce recidivism but also enhance public safety.

As the landscape of rehabilitation at Otago prison continues to evolve, the drastic reduction in constructive programming raises significant questions about the future of inmate rehabilitation and the potential for successful reintegration into society.