Releases

Corrections Minister Judith Collins has welcomed the release of the Chief Inspector of Corrections inquiry into ‘fight clubs’ and contraband in the Mount Eden Corrections Facility (MECF). “The inquiry was very thorough and made a number of findings which were critical of Serco’s operation of MECF. The inquiry also found that the Department did not meet its monitoring obligations. “The Chief Inspector made 21 recommendations for improvement and all of these recommendations are either completed or in progress.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins has welcomed 29 new Corrections Officers and Offender Employment Instructors who graduated today. The new staff will be based at Auckland Prison, Mt Eden Corrections Facility, Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility, Waikeria Prison, Spring Hill Corrections Facility, Hawkes Bay Regional Prison, Whanganui Prison, Manawatu Prison, Arohata Prison, Rimutaka Prison, and Christchurch Men’s Prison. Amy Rainford, who will work at Whanganui Prison, was presented with the Minister’s Excellence Award.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins visited Christchurch Women’s Prison today to celebrate the five year anniversary of the expanded use of Mothers with Babies Units. Since September 2011, and following the passing of the Corrections (Mothers with Babies) Amendment Act in 2008, mothers with babies have been able to keep their baby with them in prison until they are two years old. Up until then, mothers were only able to keep their baby with them until they were nine months old.

Social Development Minister Anne Tolley and Corrections Minister Judith Collins have announced the launch of a new initiative to support more offenders into employment. Budget 2016 invested $15.3 million over three years for the trial, which is targeted at increasing the employment prospects of released prisoners. Work and Income case managers and professionals will work with prisoners from pre-release for up to a year to help them prepare, find and stay in employment to help reduce reoffending.

Minister of Police and Corrections Judith Collins has congratulated Senior Constable Blair Spalding and his dog Rush on winning the National Police Patrol Dog Championship. “The competition was stiff but Blair and Rush have taken the Frank Riley Cup as National Patrol Dog champions and I offer them my most heartfelt congratulations,” says Minister Collins. ...