Changes to the working relationship between Corrections and the New Zealand Parole Board should lead to greater public safety.
Following a pre-election commitment by the Government, Prison Services has been working to create stronger communications networks between Parole Board members and senior prison staff.
Corrections is responsible for giving the Parole Board all the information it needs to make an informed decision about the potential for a prisoner to re-offend. Gaps in communication between Corrections and the Parole Board may present a significant risk to public safety.
To address the issue, from March, a prison unit manager will attend Parole Board hearings with their prisoners, in addition to uniformed staff who already attend.
Parole Board Chairman Judge David Carruthers is in favour of the change.
“The Board considers an immense range of material for each offender, and it is vital that we have the most up-to-date information available, so we can accurately assess the risk of the offender.
“Having a member of staff from within the prison attending hearings has always been of great value to the Board. This new change ensures a senior member of staff, who has the most current and relevant information about each offender, is presenting to the Board,” he says.
The General Manager Rehabilitation has attended all extended Parole Board hearings (for the most serious offenders) on behalf of the Chief Executive since 2007. Acting Prison Services General Manager Paul Monk says other measures are also being put in place to encourage communication at a senior level.
“For example, prison managers will now meet with the Parole Board to discuss any issues before the Board convenes, and they may also attend hearings if the Board request it or if they choose to.
“In addition, a Parole Assessment Report will now require approval from the regional manager of sentence planning before it goes to the Board. The managers of sentence planning know what makes a good quality report, so they will do a quality check before the Board get the information.”
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ISSN 1178-8453