Residents told that backpackers likely to become ex-prisoner accommodation

Tuesday, 29 October 2019

The Department of Corrections wants to turn A1 Backpackers in Hastings into accommodation for former inmates.

Residents of a quiet Hastings Street are furious at plans to turn a Backpackers into accommodation for up to 10 released prisoners right beside an established in-home childcare business.

Corrections wants to convert the A1 Backpackers into accommodation for the ex-inmates with 24/7 supervision in the form of a live-in residential manager.

The property is on the corner of Plunket and Stortford streets. Residents spoken to by Stuff said they were visited by Corrections staff last week and informed of the plans.

A1 Backpackers in Hastings may be converted to accommodation for up to 10 released prisoners.

Some residents were angry because they did not believe former prisoners should live in a residential area alongside young families, the elderly and women living on their own. Others said they were not opposed to the reintegration of prisoners, but felt they should have been given an opportunity to have a say before it reached this point.

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'Over 15,000 people were released from prison last year, and finding accommodation for people who are lawfully required to be released from prison is one of our most significant challenges,' said Paula Collins.

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The property is on the corner of Plunket and Stortford streets, in the Hastings suburb of Stortford Lodge.

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Most concerning to the residents was that there is an established in-home childcare business right next door to the property.

A1 Backpackers is in a residential area of the suburb of Stortford Lodge, Hastings.

The growing business, run by a young couple for three years, will likely cease if Corrections' plans come to fruition.

The couple, who did not want to be named, said it appeared Corrections was unaware of their business until their staff knocked on their door last week.

'We are fully aware of the need to reintegrate offenders and we understand the need to put them in a normal environment, but this is just not the right property,' the man said.

'It would be a huge life-changer for us. We've had letters from concerned parents who are not sure they want children to attend, and we're unlikely to carry on the business if this thing goes ahead'.

They have up to four children a day at the home, he said.

'We need to be police vetted and have to meet certain criteria, yet just a metre from our fence we will have known offenders. I just can't see that that's right,' he said.

'If something goes wrong, it'll be too late. I don't want to be saying 'I told you so' after something has happened'.

Other residents were equally concerned

'They said it could house up to 28 men. I just can't see how it's a suitable site. I'm all for giving people second chances. But there are pubs and bottle stores and a TAB down the road, there are child care centres and young families nearby,' a woman said.

A man said 'it was presented as something that was going to happen'.

'It's wrong. How they've gone about it is all wrong. We're not happy. It's obviously going to have an impact on the area and on the value of any houses nearby,' he said.

Corrections Lower North Regional Commissioner Paula Collins said residents, school principals and local MPs were engaged about the proposed supported accommodation service last week.

'We fully acknowledge that the location of people reintegrating from prison can be a concern for our communities, and we will continue speaking with local residents before making a final decision. We appreciate the time people have taken to provide us with feedback to date, and encourage anyone else with questions or comments to contact us directly at info@corrections.govt.nz,' she said

'While the property has previously housed up to 28 people in its capacity as a backpackers, the supported accommodation service that we are proposing to establish would only house between four and 10 people at any one time and be managed by a contracted service provider.'

The offenders would be provided with stable accommodation and 24/7 supervision, and assistance with employment and life skills, she said.

Corrections provided about 1100 accommodation spaces each year in the community. It worked with Housing New Zealand and partners such as the Salvation Army, PARS and other social service agencies to deliver supported accommodation around the country.

'Over 15,000 people were released from prison last year, and finding accommodation for people who are lawfully required to be released from prison is one of our most significant challenges.

'While the vast majority of people return home to family or make their own accommodation arrangements, the reality is that without us working alongside service providers to offer supported accommodation, some people would be homeless. This would present an unacceptable safety risk to communities,' Collins said.