Attitudes Often Expressed In this article I would like to mention several matters arising from an interview with a Maori recently released from prison. Some of his comments indicate perhaps the feelings and attitudes of other people who have had similar experiences. Permission to publish his comments was obtained, and the more intimate details about his family and background are not given here. • Like so many others in a similar situation, he had had a very disturbed and unsettled family background. • In the past his outlook was to leave tomorrow to look after itself. Drinking, frequent and heavy, occupied much of his leisure time. • On his initial sentence to prison he was weak and frightened. The effect of the prison system was to harden him; as he put it, he ‘went in like a chicken and came out like a rooster’. • In custody Maoris often (though not invariably) form a group or sub-culture of their own, so much so that on isolated occasions, if you hit one Maori you hit the lot. A positive function of such a group is to give expression to traditional values such as togetherness, sharing, and therapeutic conversation. For this reason many Maoris would welcome the opportunity of group discussions with a Maori prison visitor. • On discharge the ideal is to isolate oneself from other ex-inmates. This is done in individual cases. However for a great number group identification and support is an apparent need, and in the cities ex-prisoners tend to congregate at specific places, and not infrequently share communal flats. • Prison has its obvious disadvantages, but it does provide a roof over one's head, three square meals a day and security of a sort. For some people there may therefore, if all else fails, be the temptation to regard it as a kind of home. • Many Maoris realise that they need help with accommodation and employment on discharge, but hesitate to ask for assistance. In some cases they would like those interested in their welfare to believe that they have arrangements in hand, when for reasons of shyness, independence, pride and communication difficulties, this is not the case. One would not necessarily approve of some of these comments, but I feel that they should be taken into account, for as a prison visitor I have often heard similar opinions expressed by Maori inmates and former inmates.
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Te Ao Hou, September 1965, Page 21
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393Attitudes Often Expressed Te Ao Hou, September 1965, Page 21
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The Secretary Maori Purposes Fund Board
C/- Te Puni Kokiri
PO Box 3943
WELLINGTON
Phone: (04) 922 6000
Email: MB-RPO-MPF@tpk.govt.nz