Mental health and reintegration
(Corrections, Health NZ, Oranga Tamariki)

Many people in the justice system have mental health issues and other support needs.

SOUTHLAND, OTAGO AND LOWER NORTH 

REINTEGRATION

We have two services in Dunedin that support people who have been released from prison or forensic services.

• Te Whare Manaaki (a Corrections contract) provides intensive support and personal monitoring of people who have multiple and complex reintegrative and rehabilitative needs and benefit from Pact’s approach to support.
• Ahuru Mowai (funded through Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora) is a four-bed forensic step-down service. Special patients can transition from the forensic ward into this service and for some clients it might take as long as a year to transition from the hospital to living at their new home seven days a week. Many clients will have been on the ward for quite some time and need time to adjust. Our support staff coach and support them to ensure they have what they need to live in the community. This can include practical things like ID, bank accounts and a CV. The team also works in partnership with the Health New Zealand Southern community forensics team. We expect clients will be in Ahuru Mowai for up to two years. The aim is for them to have genuine choices and opportunities as they move toward independence.

Working alongside Corrections, we have one service in Wellington that supports people to reintegrate into the community. The aim of the service is to create opportunity for whai ora who would be vulnerable if integrating back to community life without support.

YOUTH BAIL HOME

We also have an Invercargill home, Te Kaika Whakaaroaro, providing home-like  support for young people, with short stays while they are on bail (funded through Oranga Tamariki). The home can take up to three people at a time. Pact has worked closely with mana whenua Waihopai Runaka, which has led to us partnering to co-deliver this service. We take care of the supported accommodation, and Waihopai Runaka take care of the day programme and education for the clients during the day. Pact staff and clients clean, cook and eat together and do activities in the evening. Waihopai and Pact both support the young people to achieve the goals in their bail conditions.