The head of the Maori focus unit at Waikeria prison attributes its rehabilitation success rate to taking a Kaupapa Maori approach.
Errol Baker says the unit, which marked its 10th anniversary on Friday with a hangi, says three quarters of Maori who have been through the unit do not re-offend.
''The success rate is equal to anything that happening in the world, because of the structure of the unit,'' he said.
Mr Baker told Waatea News that the unit virtually runs itself with older prisoners setting the rules and expectations for the younger ones much as would happen in a traditonal marae setting.
He said the unit is no easy street and the hangi was a very rare event, but the prisoners themselves should get reward for the unit's successes.
