Art effective rehab tool

Art and cultural programmes at the Northland Region Corrections Facility have been nationally recognised as a unique and effective way of supporting the rehabilitation and re-intergration of prisoners.

At this year’s Arts Access Awards, the Kaikohe based prison’s tikanga-based programme was awarded the 2016 Corrections Leadership Award at a ceremony hosted by the Minister for Art, Culture and Heritage Maggie Barry in Wellington on August 10.

The facility offers prisoners the chance to gain new skills through theatre, music, creative writing, painting and carving classes.

They can also get NZQA qualifications through providers such as The Correspondence School and NorthTec.

Beth Hill of Redemption Arts and Education Services, the facility’s arts tutor and education facilitator, plays a pivotal role in developing the arts programmes and partnerships.

Passionate about her job Hill says she is ‘‘ proud of the positive atmosphere created at the prison’’.

‘‘We have an amazing team of corrections officers, educators, interventions staff and management. We all believe the arts are a valuable tool when it comes to rehabilitating and reintegrating men from the prison into the community.’’

She is particularly proud of the Facility’s Shakespeare Behind Bars programme which sees a group of prisoners choose a work by Shakespeare who discuss and dissect it before performing it before fellow prisoners and families.

During the 12 month programme the prisoners use the theatrical experience to deal with personal and social issues and to develop the life skills needed to reintegrate into society.

The prison also contributes to the community through donations of prisoners’ artwork, exhibitions and open performances.

Hill says prisoners find a way out of crime through a process that enables them to connect and express themselves creatively.

The judging panel praised the facility’s shared vision, its tikanga-based philosophy, its education outreach and its community partnerships.