Minister opens refurbished Community Corrections site

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley has officially opened the Lower Hutt Community Corrections site, which has been refurbished at a total cost of $957,000.

The site now provides a safer environment for staff, as they support offenders to comply with sentences and order conditions.

“The probation staff at this site play an important role in helping keep the community safe and in helping us reduce reoffending,” says Mrs Tolley.

“The new design will allow officers to deliver better results in a safer workplace.

“It includes a dedicated community work centre, a multi-purpose room for on-site training and enhanced safety provisions for staff with CCTV, duress signals and glass interview rooms.

“Partner agencies and providers will also be able to take advantage of the facilities to deliver training and rehabilitation programmes.

“Staff at the site not only make sure that offenders comply with their sentences, they also actively work with them to improve their family relationships, get help for alcohol and drug problems, hold down a job and encourage them to turn away from a life of crime.

“We have a target of reducing reoffending by 25 per cent by 2017, leading to 18,500 fewer victims of crime every year, and the staff at the new site will be at the very heart of this.”
Ends

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Greens: Russel Norman To Stand Down As Co-Leader

Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman has announced today that he will stand down as leader at the party’s Annual General Meeting in May. Dr Norman will remain as Co-leader and retain his finance and climate change portfolios until the AGM.

“After nearly a decade as Co-leader, now is a good time to find a new challenge for myself, and to spend more time with my family” said Dr Norman.

“This is my ninth year as Co-leader and I think it’s time for a change. Now is a good time for new leadership for the Party. My replacement will start from a strengthened base and will have a full parliamentary term to establish himself in the role and take the Greens into government in 2017." More>>