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Minister congratulates literacy graduates
Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga
Minister of Corrections
14
August 2015
Minister congratulates literacy graduates
Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has presented three prisoners with certificates for successfully completing a literacy programme behind bars.
The graduation took place yesterday at Rimutaka Prison, where the prisoners had completed the Howard League for Penal Reform literacy programme.
The programme, delivered by volunteers, aims to improve the literacy of prisoners. About 70 per cent of prisoners have low levels of reading and writing.
Mr Lotu-Iiga says the Howard League for Penal Reform programme complements Corrections’ education and training programmes.
“Programmes like this can work alongside the department’s programmes to help lift the literacy prisoners and give them practical skills like understanding forms and correspondence.
“They can also help prisoners remain connected to their families through the reading and parenting programme and help them towards living an offence-free life on release.”
Since the programme started at Rimutaka Prison in 2013, 23 men have received tuition from the Howard League for Penal Reform, including the three who received their certificates yesterday.
The graduation was attended by Howard League for Penal Reform chief executive Mike Williams and president Tony Gibbs.
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