19932 (2025). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections

19932 (2025). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections: What was the referral rate among eligible young individuals for the Te Whare Hāpai Tangata programme for each quarter from December 2023 to March 2025?

Hon Mark Mitchell: Corrections manages around 10,700 people in prison and 26,000 people in the community. The offender population has become increasingly complex, with more violent offenders, people on remand, and those with mental health and addiction needs. I am further advised that Corrections has been reviewing its rehabilitation and reintegration services to ensure they are effective, well-targeted, and reduce reoffending. Earlier this year, Corrections made the decision not to renew a contract with St John of God Hauora Trust which was due to expire 30 June 2025. The contract provided reintegration support services to young men through Te Whare Hāpai Tangata Rehabilitation Programme, which has been internally delivered by Corrections since its inception in 2021 until Te Whare Hāpai Tangata Rehabilitation Programme was stopped in December 2024. I am further advised that Corrections has held numerous contracts with the St John of God Hauora Trust over the years, and value their work in the Canterbury community. This particular contract was set up in July 2021 for the delivery of Te Whare Hāpai Tangata Reintegration Services (also known as the Waipuna Youth Reintegration Programme) in Canterbury. I am advised that Te Whare Hāpai Tangata Rehabilitation Programme component was delivered both in prison and the community, for which participation has consistently remained low. These numbers are reported cumulatively, and below are starts and completes for Te Whare Hāpai Tangata Rehabilitation programme for the last three financial years: • In 2021/22 financial year, there were 21 starts. Of those, 9 completed the programme. • In 2022/23 financial year, there were 26 starts. Of those, 18 completed the programme. • In 2023/24 financial year, there were 27 starts. Of those, 16 completed the programme. This is also my response to WPQ 19933 (2025).