Prison Fellowship New Zealand is a volunteer-based Christian ministry with a vision to be a national movement of reconciliation and restoration within the Criminal Justice System.

Prison Fellowship has a dual focus within the prison system.

• Prison Fellowship is a provider of quality programs and services to the criminal justice sector, with a strong focus on restorative justice services.

• Prison Fellowship also provides services to the voluntary sector, through its work with prison volunteers. In summary then:

Volunteer Support and Development

Prison Fellowship, recruits, trains and equips prison volunteers. That work includes:

• Coordinating and promoting the work of volunteers in prisons

• Assisting the prison chaplaincy in its work

• Creating opportunities for volunteer involvement in prison, as mentors, pastoral visitors, teachers, and involvement in prisoner activity

• Supporting volunteer involvement in-prison ministry, after-care support, and programs for the children of prisoners, e.g. Angel Tree

Programs and Services

Prison Fellowship provide quality programs and services to the criminal justice sector.

They include:

• He Korowai Whakapono (the faith-based unit) at Rimutaka Prison, in partnership with the Department of Corrections

• Operation Jericho, an after care program for prisoners in the Wellington region

• The provision of in-prison restorative justice programs and services, e.g. Sycamore Tree and victim-offender conferences

Public Education and Information

Prison Fellowship actively seeks to educate and inform the public about the needs of prisoners and their families, and victims. It publishes material, and holds seminars, workshops and Conferences which:

• Inform and educate the public about the needs of prisoners within the prison environment, and on release.

• Develop within the community, awareness and understanding which will ensure continued support and encouragement for prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families, and victims.

• Eliminate through education, attitudinal, social, legal, political and environmental barriers which limit opportunities for prisoners and former prisoners and their whänau/family; and for victims.

Download a general information brochure on the work of Prison Fellowship New Zealand in PDF format

The Board of PFNZ is very pleased to announce the appointment of Robin Gunston as the new National Director. 

He started his new role on 24 June 09.  Robin and his wife Maureen have two adult children and are active members of St Mary’s Anglican Church in Whitby, Porirua.

He comes to us with as a widely experienced business executive, board director, consultant and entrepreneur with proven expertise and visionary leadership in the strategic direction of business and not for profit entities. He is an international author, speaker and presenter on futures thinking and risk management.  A futuristic thinker, he is able to get people to envision their preferred futures.  He has stood for Parliament in the past two elections.

PFNZ looks forward to an active, God directed future under Robin’s leadership.