Services
Support: Through arrangement with Prison staff and/or Chaplaincy we will visit the serving prisoner one on one and where possible, and if appropriate, link up with their family. We offer support in a way that will meet the needs of both these parties as they arise. The support could involve counselling, social work, budgeting, accommodation needs or referrals to other agencies.
Prison Bus: Prison Care Ministries meet the prison transport vehicles at the Hamilton Travel Centre. Released prisoners are offered support. Some have made arrangements and do not need assistance, while others need support in getting bus tickets to their hometown. They can spend hours waiting for their bus so welcome the opportunity to talk, or may go to the office for a coffee, and discussion. Where possible they are taken to Work and Income for their Steps to Freedom, and make an appointment for a benefit.
Camp Breakaway: Camp Breakaway has run successfully since the first camp was held in February 2003. The camp caters for families of both serving and released prisoners with the key principle being to build into families. Programmes are organized with experienced and qualified staff and include a crèche for under fives, indoor/outdoor program of activities for children and two workshops for adults on relevant topics. A programme of fun and messy games, encourages families to interact and play together to build positive relationships. Families have one thing in common, the stigma of having a member in prison.
Accommodation: Geoff and Jill McMillan have been founding committee members of Hamilton Support Accommodation Network (HSAN) seeking to set up support accommodation in Hamilton for prisoners in need of accommodation on release and support to reintegrate back into the community. In July 2004 the first house opened, on the 1st April 2005 HSAN became a project of Prison Care Ministries and a second house was opened on the 3rd August 2005.
Each house caters for up to 5 men living in a flatting type situation, are drug and alcohol free with a 10pm curfew and weekly house meeting/bible study. Geoff and Jill are the support social workers in the present houses for men and meet the needs of the residents as they arise.
Referrals come from NZ Prisons (Staff and Chaplaincy), serving or released prisoners, their families or community and government agencies.