20 May 2010

Funding won for Maori prisoner reintegration units

8:30 pm on 20 May 2010

A prisoner rehabilitation advocate is congratulating Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples for winning funding for two new kaupapa Maori reintegration units for prisoners.

There's $19.8 million in Thursday's Budget to build and operate the 16-bed Whare Oranga Ake units in Auckland and Hawkes Bay.

Kim Workman from Rethinking Crime and Punishment says it's a kaupapa Dr Sharples has pushed for for 20 years, though it required him to become Associate Minister of Corrections to finally get his way.

Mr Workman told Waatea News that while the units will initially cater for just 42 residents a year, the scheme could be expanded to 64 beds after a review in 2013.