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

Prison Fellowship has the following focus within the prison system.

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

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

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 assisting in prisoner activity

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

Programmes and Services

Prison Fellowship provide quality programmes 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 programme for prisoners in the Wellington region which is moving now to Target Communities across New Zealand

• The provision of in-prison restorative justice programmes 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.

Our next major conference is from 6-10 October 2010 in Wellington

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

Commissioning of National Director

Robin Gunston was commissioned by the Bishop of Wellington, Rt Rev Dr Thomas Brown at a simple but moving ceremony during Choral Evensong in Wellington Cathedral last night, 27th August, attended by some 60 friends and supporters of Prison Fellowship and a number of Board members, as well as members of the judiciary and Corrections.

Afterwards refreshments were served and there was an opportunity to introduce Robin to local supporters.

See more photos