The Salvation Army was active in establishing homes for released prisoners in the late 19th century. The first Prison-Gate home was set up in Auckland in 1884 by Major General George Pollard. It operated in various locations before a home with beds for 80 men was purchased in Epsom in 1897. Salvation Army officers would meet released prisoners at the gates of the prison and offer them accommodation and employment assistance. The Prison-Gate homes eventually housed homeless men as well as prisoners. They provided work for the men on the site, including carpentry, mat making, paper sorting and market gardening. In the 21st century the Salvation Army continued to provide housing and reintegration programmes for released prisoners.
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