Volunteers

Our volunteers make a unique connection to the people we manage, both within prison and in the community. Their work helps support our goal of reducing re-offending.

Volunteers complement the services and activities for people in prison, for example in music, health and wellbeing, cultural and religious services, reading and writing, parenting/life skills or supporting other rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.

We have around 2,000 volunteers working with people in prison on a regular basis. Volunteering can be done individually or through a volunteer group or organisation (e.g. the Howard League for penal reform or the prison chaplaincy service). We also work with marae around the country who provide volunteers.

Volunteer qualities

Volunteering can be challenging. Our volunteers need be open-minded and able to take a supportive approach. You will need to cope with difficult people and situations. Our volunteers often become role models for those they work with.

Students

If you're a student and interested in volunteering for us, you need to be clear about how you can meet the needs of an individual and what skills you can offer.

FAQs

Can I volunteer if I have a criminal record?

Having a criminal record does not stop you from applying to be a volunteer. However, it is important for you to declare any previous or pending convictions and any conflicts of interests. Decisions on the suitability of volunteers are made on a case-by-case basis by the General Manager of the prison you wish to volunteer at.

How much time is involved?

How often you volunteer is generally determined by your availability and the capacity of the prison site or community corrections centre. You will generally negotiate your commitments with the volunteer coordinator at the prison site you wish to volunteer at. Activities can be scheduled on a regular or adhoc basis depending on what you want to deliver, how much time is needed to deliver the activity/task, and what size room/venue you require. Sites vary as to when they are available for the delivery of volunteer activities. Generally, the best times are 9-11am and 2-4pm weekdays.  Some sites can accommodate weekend delivery whilst others cannot.

What am I expected to do as a volunteer?

Volunteer activities are selected based on the needs at each site. Volunteer Coordinators will ask you want you would like to do as a volunteer and will determine if that is something needed at that site. Volunteers are not able to deliver therapeutic rehabilitation programmes as these are generally contracted to providers who have trained and skilled staff. Volunteer programmes generally fall under the following categories:

• arts & crafts – ceramics, quilting, sewing, origami, knitting, screen printing, embroidery, kite making, card making
• visual arts – painting, drawing, exhibitions
• recreation / hobbies or sporting activities – yoga, games, cards, bookclub
• educational – literacy, numeracy, library, computer skills, sign language, ESOL
• creative writing
• employment skills – beekeeping, bike maintenance, work readiness
• Toi Māori – kapahaka, carving, weaving, te reo, tikanga, Waiata
• performing arts – music, drama, dance
• life skills – budgeting, parenting, personal development, communication skills, mentoring and coaching, cooking
• pet therapy
• health and wellbeing – addictions support ie gambling, alcohol, drugs
• legal advice
• Māori and Pacific cultural support/advice

Is there any training or support for volunteers?

All volunteers must:

• fill in an application form,
• sign a code of conduct and permission to drug test form,
• declare any conflicts of interests and/or previous convictions,
• apply for an APPE card which is scanned to give access to prison sites,
• attend a health and safety site induction training which could take several hours and may only be offered at certain times of the day/week.

Volunteer Coordinators will interview you and prepare you before you start. They will take you on a site tour and will show you how to use safety equipment if it is issued to you. Volunteer Coordinators may ask you to attend peer supervision with other volunteers and will generally pair you up with a more experienced volunteer who will mentor you through your first few visits. Volunteer Coordinators will often greet you on arrival and when exiting sites. They are there to support you and answer any questions you may have. You may be invited to attend other training courses available to staff as opportunities arise.

How to apply

If you are interested in volunteering please email reintegrationservices@corrections.govt.nz with the following details:

• The prison you are interested in volunteering at
• A brief description of the volunteer work you would like to do
• A brief summary of your skills and experience related to this work

Your enquiry will be forwarded to the local volunteer coordinator in your region. Our coordinators oversee the recruitment, engagement, training, administration, and monitoring of volunteers, and they serve as the first point of contact for any local issues.

For any other general questions about our volunteer programme, please email us at reintegrationservices@corrections.govt.nz.