Peer support – working with Corrections

In 2018 Odyssey established peer support roles in the Drug Treatment Programmes (DTP) at Auckland Prison and Spring Hill Corrections Facility, and the Te Ngahere Intensive Treatment Programmes (ITP) at Spring Hill Corrections Facility and Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility. The DTP and ITP programmes use a modified Therapeutic Community (TC) approach to address alcohol and drug issues amongst participants.

The prison environment is extremely challenging for peer support however, it is recognised there is huge value in supporting participants to engage in treatment, and to role model recovery in action. Peer support also brings an opportunity to challenge the criminal mindset and move towards desistance from offending, and reconnection with community.

All peer support workers face issues with others lacking understanding of what they do. Isolation was also an issue in the Corrections setting, along with maintaining boundaries and sharing their story appropriately. The kaiārahi cultural support provided on these sites helped with mutual support due to commonalities in role.

Odyssey recognised these challenges and addressed them by providing role clarity training for other staff; using a peer coaching model for all peer support; and ensuring individual and/or group supervision for peer support workers. The result of bringing these roles into the Corrections settings has increased engagement and connection, enhancing outcomes in graduation and re-entry to the community.