(Picture caption: Psalms Masame, left, and Kalem Chan Boon launch New Zealand’s first Pacific bail accommodation in Hamilton.)
Two years of robust talanoa around the disproportionate representation of Pacific and Māori men who have nowhere to serve bail, and the plight to keep them out of jail, has led to the first Pacific accommodation bail house in Aotearoa.
Pivot Bail Accommodation is a pre-approved EM (electronic monitoring) and ordinary bail service that works in collaboration with Mahi Mihinare (Anglican Action), K’aute Pasifika, Corrections Bail Support Services and Ministry of Social Development and Hamilton City Council.
It has been developed to provide a safe and positive environment for Pacific men while on bail.
Former Authorised Officer with New Zealand Police Kalem Chan Boon, Psalms Masame (Sapapali’i and Lauli’i), and Kalem’s parents Danielle Stowers-Boon (Magia and Pago Pago) and Tautali Cleo Chan Boon (Falilema and Asau), last week celebrated a milestone when they opened and blessed the premises of the new Pivot Bail Accommodation houses.
Pivot has two units available, which have four beds per unit and will be staffed around the clock.
Kalem says the aim is to get Pacific men released on bail directly from the court, on the day of their Police arrest.
This prevents exposure to high security remand prison and further negative behaviour that often leads to a life of crime and exposure to high security remand prisons.
“Pacific values and culture modules will be taught by our Pacific staff,” he adds.
Psalms says men will learn the value of service and will be expected to contribute on a day-to-day basis by cooking, cleaning and doing group activities like any healthy, functioning family does.
“Central to this will be the establishment of good healthy day routines which will include fitness,” Psalms explains.
“The sole purpose is to intervene early in the person’s criminal life and help them to make the change to a crime-free life, built on our strong Pasifika values.”
Over a year ago, Kalem and the work he does was profiled by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP).
At that time, he had attended the launch of MPP’s Pacific Business Village in Tauranga, where he sought to garner support for Pivot.
A year on, Kalem and his family have proudly opened their bail accommodation service in the Hamilton suburb of Deanwell.
Kalem and his family have and continue to receive support for Pivot from various agencies, including MPP, Mihi Mahinare (Anglican Action), DV Bryant Trust and Waikato Pacific Business Network “Navigator” Nu’ulelei Teuila Maggof.
“When some of these men go to court, it could be the most pivotal point in their life as to whether they go back to prison or return to their village, so to speak,” Kalem says.
“We set high standards.
“There are such wide-reaching consequences of this incarceration to their aiga.
“Our role will be to support them and their situation during this time, with the goal of being released on bail, rather than return to prison to await sentence.
“It will change lives positively.”