Minister of Corrections

The current Minister of Corrections is Hon Anne Tolley. Hon Pita Sharples is the Associate Minister.

The Minister of Corrections is responsible for determining policy and exercising statutory powers and functions related to the Corrections portfolio. The Minister is also responsible to Parliament for ensuring the Department of Corrections carries out its functions properly and efficiently.

Powers and functions of the Minister of Corrections
The Corrections Act 2004 creates several powers and functions which are detailed below:

• Giving general directions to the Chief Executive relating to the exercise of their powers and functions (Section 7)
   
• Any other powers and functions conferred under the Corrections Act 2004 or regulations made under it (Section 7)
   
• Setting pay rates for part-time Probation Officers (Section 24)
   
• Declaring land or buildings to be a prison or community work centre (Section 30 and Section 32)
   
• Requistioning land and buildings in an emergency (Section 191)
   
• Approving pay rates for working prisoners (Section 66)
   
• Setting the cost of imprisonment so it can be deducted from the earnings of prisoners on Release to Work (Section 68)
   
• Consenting to the Chief Executive contracting out escort and courtroom custodial services (Section 166 and Section 170)

More detailed information on the legislation and international requirements Corrections operates under can be found here.