Growing remand populations are a global issue for correctional services - one that Aotearoa New Zealand is not exempt from. Today, men on remand account for nearly half of those in prison, yet they remain one of the least supported groups in custody. They often arrive with significant vulnerabilities, including mental health difficulties, poor coping skills, and substance use histories. Once in custody, the uncertainty and isolation of remand compounds these challenges, but unlike sentenced prisoners, they are currently unable to access rehabilitative and psychological programmes. The result is an expanding group in a highly stressful environment with no dedicated support, increasing risks of distress, prison non-compliance, and recidivism on release.
This research asks: what could effective support for men on remand look like in Aotearoa New Zealand? Through qualitative interviews with men currently and previously on remand, alongside professionals who work with them, the study explores lived experiences, key stressors, and what makes people more or less likely to engage with help. Using reflexive thematic analysis, the research highlights not only the harms of remand but also the opportunities to intervene.
The findings suggest new considerations for frontline correctional practice and point toward interventions that meet at the intersection of prisoner responsivity, psychological evidence, and operational feasibility. By centring the voices of men on remand and embedding bicultural frameworks such as Te Whare Tapa Whā, this project opens the door to “prehabilitation”: supporting people earlier in the justice process to reduce harm and build readiness for rehabilitation.
×
Jacob Snellaert
PhD Candidate, University of Waikato, New Zealand
Jacob Snellaert is a Clinical Psychology student and PhD candidate at the University of Waikato, based here in Aotearoa New Zealand. His doctoral research explores the perspectives of men on remand. The ultimate aim of this is to continue generating insights that can inform correctional practice and guide the development of remand-specific interventions.
Jacob’s professional interest in correctional services began through his role as a probation officer, where he experienced both the complexities and rewards of frontline work. This work, together with his broader experience supporting people with intellectual disabilities and those living with chronic mental health distress, strengthened his commitment to person-centred approaches. Effective and responsive support of people in the justice system has an immense ripple effect which spreads to their family, their neighbourhood, and ultimately the wider community.
