Strategy, Policy and Planning (SPP) provides specialist and strategic advice to inform decision making by the Minister of Corrections, the Chief Executive, the Executive Team and across the Department.
SPP ensures that strategies developed throughout the Department for improving public safety and reducing re-offending are co-ordinated and align with Departmental strategy.
SPP provides strategic planning, policy development and advice, research and evaluation and co-ordinates the development of corporate, operational and strategic business plans for the Department.
Strategy, Policy and Planning advises the Minister and Chief Executive on policy initiatives, on legislative and resourcing implications and as a particular focus, on interventions that may help to reduce re-offending.
The Group also has oversight of operational policy within the Department to encourage sharing of knowledge, learning and experience and to ensure consistency with Departmental policies and decisions. SPP contributes to the efficient operation of the New Zealand Parole Board and assists the Board to meets its statutory responsibilities by providing centralised administrative support services.
SPP maintains a 'whole of justice sector' perspective and works in partnership with all groups and services n the Department, other Government agencies, the community and international corrections and justice jurisdictions to improve public safety and reduce re-offending.
There are six teams within Strategy, Policy and Planning:
Provides Corrections input to work across the Justice Sector and wider social sector policy development, strategy and legislation. Examples of current work include: Corrections and Justice sector legislation, advice on contract management of prisons, sexual violence prevention, family violence prevention and improving offenders’ access to treatment for alcohol and other drugs.
Provides policy advice and develops strategies for the Department on more effective management of offenders. Examples of recent work include the prisoner skills and employment strategy, the Drug Strategy, a review of the evidence for prison policy settings, work on managing violent and disruptive offenders, the capacity challenges facing community probation and meeting the need for future prison capacity.
Provides policy advice to improve Department effectiveness and as a contribution to wider Justice sector and Government policy on better outcomes for Maori and Pacific offenders, with a particular emphasis on reducing re-offending among these groups. Because Maori are statistically over-represented at every stage of the criminal justice process (Maori currently make up nearly 50 percent of the prison population), this team works particularly closely with agencies such as the Ministry of Justice, NZ Police and Te Puni Kokiri. Recent work includes a review of the Maori Focus Unit policy and the development of the Whare Oranga Ake prisoner reintegration model.
Analyses trends in offending and reducing re-offending, evaluate rehabilitation success, manages the Department’s research and evaluation programme, and more broadly, undertakes analysis of important issues for the Department. The team also produces the annual Offender Volumes Report, which has replaced the prison census, and data on rehabilitation programme success and recidivism rates.
Develops and maintains a strategic planning framework that establishes arrangements for the review of the Strategic Business Plan and other longer term plans as well as promoting understanding of the Department’s strategic direction and goals. The team is responsible for ensuring the Department complies with all external accountability requirements, namely the production of Corrections’ Strategic Business Plan, the annual Statement of Intent, and the quarterly and annual reports. Strategic Planning co-ordinates departmental strategic activities with other Justice agencies in working towards justice sector outcomes.
Provides centralised administrative support services to support the efficient operation of the New Zealand Parole Board and assist the Board to meet its statutory responsibilities. The team also manages the delivery of Victim Services.
Copyright © Department of Corrections | Feedback and queries email: webmaster@corrections.govt.nz