The Associate Minister of Corrections says the launch of the first rehabilitation and re-integration unit for inmates in New Zealand, is the realisation of a dream.
Pita Sharples says the Whare Oranga Ake unit at Hawke's Bay prison will provide a wholly kaupapa Maori environment, for selected prisoners nearing the end of their sentence.
He says "Whare Oranga Ake ... repatriates inmates with their families, with a whanau group of support but also with the skills to survive and with a job when they leave this place".
Mr Sharples says the Whare Oranga concept is a brave move for the Department of Corrections, but long overdue.
The facility which is due to be built by July, will initially accommodate 16 inmates with expansion possible to 32.
Listen to more about the Whare Oranga Ake concept