Maori strategy will take time: Corrections
WELLINGTON: Corrections has defended the implementation of its Maori prison reduction strategy to MPs, saying that despite delays caused by Covid19, it was on track.
Hokai Rangi aims to: reduce the Maori prison population from 52% to 16% over the next 15 years, in line with the overall Maori population; ensure the mana of prisoners is upheld; and give them more access to rehabilitation programmes, and time with whanau.
However, justice reform advocates have said the strategy no longer holds any credibility, citing an ombudsman’s report of Paremoremo prisoners being locked up for 23 hours a day.
The Waikeria prison riot earlier this year, which resulted in fire damage to the buildings by prisoners protesting poor conditions has also been pointed to as evidence the strategy is not working.
During the ministry’s annual review, Corrections chief executive Jeremy Lightfoot yesterday told the justice select committee reform of the system would take a long time.
Corrections had begun building partnerships with local iwi and hapu as part of Hakai Rangi, and thanked Ngati Maniapoto and Raukawa kaumatua and kuia for their ‘‘critical support’’ during the Waikeria prison riot, Mr Lightfoot said.
While Corrections had yet to develop a framework to measure the progress of Hakai Rangi, Mr Lightfoot said it had identified 37 shortterm actions it wanted to have completed within the first two years of the strategy launch in 2019.
Corrections had achieved three of those actions, which included establishing a deputy chief executive Maori, ensuring Corrections’ leadership was committed towards kaupapa Maori initiatives, and resourcing Hakai Rangi with $98 million put aside in the 2019 Budget for ‘‘a range of initiatives to lower the proportion of Maori in the Corrections system’’, he said.
The other actions included the likes of mana whenua partnerships at each prison site, services for Maori women and young Maori, keeping Maori close to their whanau, implementing a te reo Maori strategy and creating a working definition of kaupapa Maori.
Mr Lightfoot said Corrections was on track to complete at least half of these actions by the end of the financial year. — RNZ