Time flies – almost half a year has already passed since I became the Minister of Corrections.
Over that time, I have been able to make a number of visits to see the good work that front-line staff do across Corrections.
I have been impressed by the professionalism demonstrated by probation officers, corrections officers and Corrections Inmate Employment instructors that I have talked to.
You will have seen in the media that I have a strong expectation that the Department will build a culture of excellence in its role to protect public safety. I believe there is a strong foundation of this culture of excellence in the professionalism exhibited by all staff across the wide diversity of roles in Corrections.
Professionalism is about setting high standards, having high expectations of yourselves and doing the right thing, day in day out. Public safety is at the centre of all your decisions about how you do your work.
Recently I had the pleasure to attend the graduation of new corrections officers. It was great to see so much pride and enthusiasm in these graduates. Theirs is an important job that requires an incredible amount of skill, responsibility and, at times, courage.
It’s the same at all levels of the organisation. No matter what your role within the Department, there is a shared responsibility for keeping the public safe and rehabilitating those prisoners who have shown a commitment to turning their lives around.
There are things that can be done better, and there probably always will be. But improvement should be a process that is welcomed, encouraged and which is ongoing. It is the responsibility of all staff to suggest and make improvements, because you know your job best and how it can be done more efficiently.
I have asked the Chief Executive and his management team to develop ways of collecting and responding to these ideas. I have also encouraged the PSA and CANZ to provide improvement ideas. I will do my part by promoting legislative or procedural changes that are required to make improvements.
The corrections system is an incredibly important one, given it contributes directly to the safety of the New Zealand public. Our roles in Corrections need to be done well. They need to be done with enthusiasm. They need to be done with pride.
This is the culture of excellence that I am promoting.
Hon Judith Collins
Minister of Corrections
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ISSN 1178-8453