Community safety is an important issue for most New Zealanders and affects us all. This involves Police, Courts and other agencies and the Department of Corrections has a key role to play as it manages offenders both in prison and in non-custodial sentences served in the community.
We contribute to safer communities in two ways - by keeping offenders who would otherwise be a threat out of the community, and secondly, as most offenders will eventually have to be released, by working to rehabilitate them and give them the skills and support necessary to stay straight on the outside.
The Department is working with Maori communities to help Maori offenders, and with Pacific communities. There are also initiatives for women offenders and to help young people stay out of prison. New prisons are designed with layouts that encourage behavioural improvement, and are located so families can visit more easily.