Prisoners' children treated to Christmas dinner

  • Breaking
  • 19/12/2014

Early Christmas dinners are being held at both ends of the North Island tomorrow for children who have parents in prison.

The dinners in both Auckland and Upper Hutt have been organised by Prison Fellowship New Zealand (PFNZ).

Around 150 people – most of which will be children – are expected to attend each event.

National BreakAway manager Philippa Wells says they will all get the chance to have some nice food and mingle with their community in "a positive way".

"A lot of these families are heaped with stigma, judgement, and they take on shame," she says.

"Often they actually isolate themselves – obviously that's a generalisation, but it applies a lot. This is our way of helping break some of that isolation."

The organisation has been holding the community-funded Christmas dinners in Upper Hutt since 2011. Last year was Auckland's first.

This year's Upper Hutt dinner will be held at the Cossie Club, and Auckland's at the Onehunga Workingmens Club.

PFNZ also runs a programme called Angel Tree.

"That's where we facilitate prisoners giving a Christmas gift to their children, if they're choosing to," says Ms Wells.

Department of Corrections national commissioner Jeremy Lightfoot acknowledged PFNZ's efforts.

"We recognise that this time can be difficult for prisoners’ friends and families," he says. "We're committed to doing all we can to make this day easier for the children of prisoners."

There will be no visits on Christmas Day, but with an increased number of audio-visual link suites around the country, prisoners who are located far away from their families can enjoy "virtual visits" over the holiday period.

"We know that maintaining family ties and support networks is vital in helping with rehabilitation and reintegration, so it's important they are able to keep in touch," says Mr Lightfoot. "A virtual visit is much more meaningful than a phone call."

If you would like to donate towards either of the PFNZ dinners, contact details are available on their website.

What happens in prison on Christmas Day?

Christmas Day will be "marked appropriately" in prisons around the country, says Corrections.

The main meal of the day will be swapped, so prisoners will be served dinner at lunchtime and sandwiches in the evening.

Prisoners will prepare the dinner, which will include roast chicken, gravy, roast potatoes, carrots, green peas, two slices of bread and an apple pie. There will also be a vegetarian meal option.

Mr Lightfoot says preparing the meal allows the prisoners to not only actively participate in the day, but also to learn skills that will assist them outside of prison.

"We know that people who are able to find stable employment are less likely to re-offend and can go on to be productive, contributing members of society."

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