Breaking the intergenerational crime cycle

When a parent is sent to prison, it’s often the children who suffer the real punishment – but one New Zealand organisation is determined to stop this happening.

International research shows that, without intervention, prisoners’ children are seven times more likely to end up in prison than any other children. They’re also more at risk of child abuse, neglect, illiteracy, crime, violence, incarceration, teen pregnancy, depression, premature death and substance addiction.

With the Todd Foundation’s support, PILLARS Inc will provide a mentoring programme for these young people and a wraparound service for their families/whänau – both aimed at breaking the intergenerational crime cycle.

Based in Christchurch and Auckland, PILLARS has helped many families/whänau to cope with the isolation and stigma that come with having a parent in prison. Its programmes help parents to address the issues behind offending and lead crime-free lives, and matches up to 90 children with volunteer mentors every year.

See www.pillars.org.nz