Cuts causing tension in prisons — Society

Press, 31 May 1984, Page 5

Cuts causing tension in prisons — Society

The Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation Society of Canterbury and Westland is under increasing pressure to fill gaps left by the Justice Department’s creeping reduction policy, according to the society’s president, Mr M. J. Cree. Mr Cree told the society’s annual meeting last evening

that the public had a right to know why criminal justice services in Canterbury were being run down. This was putting pressure on the society, inmates, and other welfare service workers, he said. “While voluntary organisations have a special social service role to play, they cannot provide a sub-

stitute for specialised, trained professional services such as psychologists, teachers, chaplains, or social workers/’ Mr Cree said.

Since 1981, at least four psychologists had resigned with only one replacement and one position pending, the society claimed. Even taking into account plans to employ private psychologists on contract, there would still be a reduction in work-hours of up to 70 hours a week when the two unfilled, part-time posts were considered.

The society quoted from a Justice Department Psychological Service statement which said that the service’s policy was “to ensure that every person under the jurisdiction of the department who wishes has access to consultation with a psychologist and may receive appropriate treatment directed towards either a reduction in the probability of further court appearances or problems related to Justice Department oversight.” The society also said there had been a 50 per cent reduction in education services at Paparua Prison; where there had been two education officers there was now one, and no sign of a replacement. The society said it had been advised that the only pre-release hostel in Christchurch was to close and that there was a suggestion that a new facility would be announced with the criminal justice legislation planned for this Parliamentary session. However, there was no suggestion of what would fill the gap between the two, or even a guarantee that there would be a replacement. “The society cannot hope to fill these gaps, which means more pressure and tension in our prisons, with obvious consequences for -the community at la»e,” ty!r Cree said. r-'