Inmates praised for addressing addictions

PROGRAMME: Whanganui prison's drug treatment scheme now has 500 graduates.

Ten prisoners recently graduated from Whanganui Prison's three month drug treatment programme.

In total 500 prisoners have graduated from the three-month addiction treatment programme, run in conjunction with CareNZ, since it began in 2011.

"Addressing their addiction to drugs and alcohol is an important step in the men's rehabilitation," prison director Reti Pearse said, noting the graduations marked an important milestone for the men and the prison.

"With 500 men having graduated from the programme it is a credit to everyone involved, the men, their mentors, unit staff, and CareNZ.

"The men can look forward to completing their rehabilitation, education and training programmes and return to their whanau and communities with a positive future," he said.

CareNZ's addiction treatment is part of the national Te Tirohanga programme aiming to reduce reoffending among Maori offenders by 30 per cent by 2017.

The 18 months programme has six phases, which provide skills and training to help with successful reintegration upon release.

The programme addresses factors that influence participants' alcohol and drug use through structured group work, social skills training and therapy groups.

There is strict entry criteria for the programme - prisoners must acknowledge they have an addiction and be motivated to make a change in their lives.

"I learnt how to control my triggers and anger," said one graduate.

"I learnt about being mindful towards others."

A range of drug and alcohol rehabilitation and intervention programmes are also offered to offenders on community sentences