Releases

The Corrections Inspectorate function will be more transparent as a result of a new Inspectorate Reporting policy, says Corrections Minister Judith Collins. Inspectors were established by the Corrections Act 2004 to provide assurance around the delivery of Corrections’ services. Specifically, they visit all public and private prisons, investigate incidents, investigate complaints and undertake thematic reviews. ...

Corrections Minister Judith Collins has today inspected the $19m upgrade of Invercargill Prison which will add another fifty years of life into the century old facility. The Department of Corrections has just completed a three year, three stage refurbishment, providing significant health and security improvements to the prison that has the capacity to accommodate 172 prisoners on sentence and remand and 75 staff. The project has replaced older facilities, created more space for trade and training programmes and earthquake strengthened some areas where required.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins has welcomed 27 new Corrections Officers who graduated today. The new staff will be based at Northland Region Corrections Facility, Mt Eden Corrections Facility, Spring Hill Corrections Facility, Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison, Manawatu Prison, Arohata Prison, Rimutaka Prison, Christchurch Men’s Prison, and Otago Corrections Facility. A former army officer’s exceptional leadership and people skills saw her awarded the Minister’s Excellence Award.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley and Corrections Minister Judith Collins have announced the launch of the second stage of a new $15.3 million initiative to help offenders prepare for, find and stay in employment and reduce reoffending. The Salvation Army and Workwise will work with the offenders from ten weeks before until twelve months after their release to give them the support they need to develop the necessary skills to find and maintain a job, while also increasing support for employers to take on offenders.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins has congratulated seven prisoners and two prisoner peer mentors who graduated from the Howard League Literacy programme at Kohuora Auckland South Corrections Facility today. Ms Collins presented the graduates with certificates, marking their achievement in completing the 12 week literacy course. She congratulated the men for taking an important step to living a better life when they leave prison. ...