Maori very likely to see opportunities in private prisons

The co-leader of the Maori Party- Tariana Turia - believes Maori individuals, groups and iwi are likely to see great opportunities in running private prisons and she wouldn't be surprised to see some groups or iwi tendering to run or provide services in privately run prisons.

Mrs Turia says "many Maori have considerable experience in prison work not only in this country but also in Australia. And in the past some iwi have expressed an interest in running prisons."

"I was impressed with the experience of Auckland Central Remand Prison and in particular the way in which they ensured Maori were fully involved in the decisions about how best to manage and rehabilitate their people".

"ACRP had initiated a formal partnership with Iwi Whanui o Tamaki Makaurau - an advisory board representing six northern iwi" said Mrs Turia. "I believe that partnership with management also rolled out into influencing programmes and services in a way which was very positive".

"This approach is in keeping with dealing with our own in our own more holistic way; and it is just unfortunate that in the past public prisons haven't allowed this approach to flourish."

Mrs Turia says she doesn't want to be seen as being too critical, "but it seems to me that while we have some home grown problems we seem to be importing staff and ideas from other parts of the world to run our prisons and it just isn't working. As in areas like health and social services - where Maori are successfully contracting to deliver services - it might also be time for a fresh look at prisons, and I would encourage that."

“I’m sure if the privatisation of Ngawha Prison was going to be up for consideration Ngati Hine and Ngati Rangi would be extremely interested – as indeed for other iwi considering the location of prisons throughout their rohe”.