The Kea Project | Department of Corrections | Experience DesignUsing co-design to transform the visiting experience, strengthen family relationships, and help break cycles of intergenerational offending.
The Challenge
For many children, visiting a parent in prison can be an intimidating and emotionally challenging experience. Traditional prison visiting environments were often designed around operational needs rather than the needs of tamariki (children) and whānau (families), creating barriers to meaningful family connection.
My Role
As the lead designer for Otago Prison, I adapted and implemented the national Kea programme within the local prison context.
Key responsibilities included:
Led the local implementation of the Kea Project at Otago Prison.
Planned and facilitated co-design workshops with men in prison.
Worked closely with prison staff and national teams to build engagement and ownership.
Guided concept development, iteration and delivery of the redesigned visitor experience.
Designed the Kea Activity Book, included in children's preparation packs.
Co-design Approach
Rather than designing for the people using the service, I created opportunities for the men in prison to actively shape the experience their children and whānau would encounter.
Working directly in the visits centre, I facilitated a series of co-design activities including:
Discovery workshop - understand what was special to the Otago region and what their kids enjoyed
Ideation & concept workshop - wall by wall in the visitors space, we decided what story we wanted to communicate.
Implementation - Spent two weeks painting the walls with staff and the men.
Outcome & Impact
“I had my 4-year-old daughter visit and she told me she loved the space. She was picking out her favourite hoiho (penguin) on the wall. It was awesome to sit with her on her level, interact with her, and play the new games and activities together.”
The outcome of this design process was not only a engaging, uplifting space but also the men who competed the painting felt a sense of accomplishment and pride. I saw them all grow, some became leaders and some also grew in creative ways. We shared many laughs and everyone understood the great changes we were making
