Council help sought for former prisoners

Press, 4 December 1981, Page 4

Council help sought for former prisoners

The Christchurch City Council could help determine the best ways to help former prisoners re-enter normal society, the community services committee was told this week. Members of the Salisbury Street Foundation, which runs a “halfway house” that helps former inmates adjust to the community, said that a council community worker spending time on the problem could help prepare a workable programme. Mr M. J. Cree, the foundation’s chairman, said that such community development work was beyond his organisation's resources. A man on pre-release said that former prisoners were treated as third-rate citizens even after they had re-

entered the community, and often went back to the company of criminals if they did not get extra support. “People cannot make the transition for themselves,” said Mr Cree. “For one thing, we need to know, how to get community support for people who want to set themselves up in business.” Mr Cree asked if a community development officer could devote eight hours a week to the project for perhaps six months. Cr H. A. Clark said that a study of the needs of former prisoners was an appropriate area for council involvement. He noted that there had also been criticism of the lack of support for people released from mental hospitals. Mr Cree said there was a

three-year “at risk” period for released medium-term to long-term prisoners. The total Salisbury Street Foundation programme, which could accommodate 10 people in residence, took about two years. About 45 per cent of the former inmates who had been in the Salisbury Street Foundation programme during its first 2¥z years had been “successfully relocated socially.” Others had been partly located, and were at least’not back in prison. “Quite clearly, some have reoffended,” he said. Councillors said the Community Adviser (Mr J. R. L. Fry) should report later on the request for a.community development worker’s time.