Storytelling a rehabilitation tool
14 July 2008 The Pasefika Legends Story Telling Programme, run in Auckland prisons, has been a success story for both staff and prisoners.
In June 2008, staff and family members of offenders attended a ceremony at Spring Hill Corrections Facility to congratulate 23 prisoners as they graduated from the Pasefika Legends Story Telling Programme.
The programme was run over 40 hours across ten weeks. The ceremony acknowledged the men's commitment to addressing their offending behaviour and also provided a chance for their families to mark the achievement with them.
Aufa'amulia Asenati Lole-Taylor, Regional Adviser Pacific for the Department of Corrections, says the Pasefika Legends Story Telling Programme helps prisoners understand and embrace their cultural identities. Cultural practices are explained through legend, allowing the prisoner to become more receptive to other rules around them.
For 3000 years, Pacific peoples have been using oral history, legends and group activities as part of their ceremonies and way of life. Their oratory skills are the foundation of their culture for the wellbeing of themselves, their families and their societies.
Messages behind the legends
The prisoners learned various Pacific legends, traditional dances and songs, and performed them as part of the programme. They also learned about the messages behind the legends and how to apply them in their own lives.
The venue for the course at the Spring Hill site was the only prison-based fale in New Zealand. Built to accommodate programmes of the Pacific Focus Unit, the fale provided inspiration to the men and a traditional setting still within the security of the prison.
Every part of the fale holds cultural significance. The roof represents the belief that cultural values provide shelter in life. The foundation represents the family, or aiga. The pou (the four posts between the roof and the foundation) connect culture and family.
"Many New Zealand-born Pacific prisoners have been isolated from their cultural identities,” Mrs Lole-Taylor says. “They are sometimes third-generation New Zealanders who haven't been brought up the traditional Pacific way and may experience feelings of displacement in situations where they are expected to act in a culturally appropriate manner – but aren't sure of how to do that.”
Powerful words
Judge A'e'au Semi Epati, the first Pacific Island judge in New Zealand, spoke at the ceremony at the Spring Hill site. Judge Epati presides over District and Youth Court matters in Manukau. He had some powerful words for the men.
"It is possible that I may have been the judge who sent you to prison in the first place, but I am not here to apologise for my actions. Rather to be part of your journey while you are in prison. I sincerely hope that your time in prison will be an opportunity for you to reflect seriously on your actions, and look at where you need to take ownership of what you do. Your families who are here today indicates that you come from loving families.
"This programme has re-ignited that Pasefika blood of yours, allowing you to make that crucial link back to your cultural and genealogical connections, which enable you to have pride in your cultural identity and your cultural heritage.”
Judge Epati noted that it was the first time he had visited the prison in his capacity as a judge. He acknowledged the significance of his role in sentencing offenders and being able to see the rehabilitation aspect of the prisoner's journey through the justice system.