19508 (2025). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections

19508 (2025). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections: How will the Minister of Corrections monitor the impact of the Te Whare Hāpai Tangata programme's cessation on youth rehabilitation outcomes in the Canterbury Region?

Hon Mark Mitchell: I am advised that Corrections has been reviewing its rehabilitation and reintegration programmes to ensure that they are providing effective and efficient services which deliver the best possible results to reduce reoffending. I am further advised that, to ensure there’s no unnecessary duplication, under-utilisation of services, or inefficiencies that use up resources that could be spent on more effective treatment and support for the people who need it most, Corrections has been assessing its current rehabilitation and reintegration programmes and services. I am advised that Corrections made the decision not to renew a rehabilitation contract with St John of God Hauora Trust which was due to expire 30 June 2025, as participation numbers were consistently low for the rehabilitation programme their services support. I am further advised that Corrections uses the Rehabilitation Quotient (RQ) to monitor the impact of their rehabilitation programmes and offending rates. I am advised that Te Whare Hāpai Tangata has not had a formal evaluation (internal or independent) and has never been included in Corrections’ RQ results due to the low sample size. I am further advised that Corrections continues to have a wide range of services available, both in Canterbury and nation-wide, to support the reintegration and rehabilitation of people in prison and people serving community-based sentences. For example, young people who were eligible for Te Whare Hāpai Tangata rehabilitation programme would likely be eligible for the Short Rehabilitation Programme as both are suitable for those requiring a medium intensity rehabilitation programme. I am further advised that funding for programme facilitation staff who would have previously delivered the rehabilitation element of Te Whare Hāpai Tangata will continue so they may deliver other medium intensity rehabilitation programmes, including to youth, such as the Short Rehabilitation Programme modified to youth cohorts. This is also my response to WPQ 19509 (2025), WPQ 19511 (2025), WPQ 19514 (2025), WPQ 19515 (2025) and WPQ 19517 (2025).