The Roman Catholic and Anglican archbishops of New Zealand are inviting their churches to pray and discuss how the Christian gospel is foundational to the rights and needs of victims, offenders, and their families. The archbishops, John Dew, Justin Duckworth and Philip Richardson (above) say a justice system, levels of offending, and victims’ needs and Read more
The suicide rate in New Zealand prisons is 11 times higher than in the general population – and, since 2008, more than 75 prisoners have died. The number of prisoners committing suicide has much to do with high rates of mental health problems combined with poor quality psychiatric care in prison. Doctors and nurses who Read more
The appointment of Sister Veronica Casey PBVM to the role of Senior Catholic Prison Chaplain has been announced with the appointment effective 25 March. “I’m pleased that Sr Veronica Casey PBVM has accepted this role and look forward to working with her in this capacity. I’d like also to take the opportunity to applaud the Read more
Whanganui prison chaplain, Home of Compassion Sister Litia, and local volunteer, John Scudder, have helped a group of inmates at the prison record a CD of original music. While assisting the men spiritually, Sister Litia recognised they had musical talent and thought that talent could be used to address their behaviour. The nine prisoners, using the name Urban Read more
It takes political courage to contradict the prevailing nostrums of the day, and National’s deputy prime minister and Finance Minister, Bill English, is to be commended for doing just this. Opening a Families Commission’s 50 Key Thinkers forum in May, Mr English referred to prisons as a moral and fiscal failure. In so doing he Read more
A church that has opened its doors to women released from the Wiri women’s prison says 800 volunteers are needed when a new men’s jail opens next door – and it doesn’t know where they will come from. Volunteers from St Elizabeth’s Anglican Church in Clendon have been visiting inmates in the 464-bed women’s prison Read more
Sister Marie Roche received a civil honour at Queen’s Birthday. She becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit after nearly half a century as a nun, including 15 years as Rimutaka Prison’s Catholic chaplain. “I am very humbled by it because I look around and see all those wonderful people doing wonderful Read more