An extensive review has been underway of all aspects of how Corrections operates.
The purpose was to make sure Corrections was delivering its services in a way which improves public safety and is consistent with Government expectations.
I have now announced a series of changes to the way the Department carries out its responsibilities. They reflect a fundamental rethink of how the Department needs to function if it is to successfully meet the challenges facing the organisation now and looking ahead, and provide a structure needed to support enhanced service delivery.
A new Rehabilitation and Reintegration Services group will be established as a single service group for delivery of rehabilitation and reintegration services. This will bring greater clarity in terms of the roles of the different operational arms and assist in improving our effectiveness with Maori offenders and engagement with Maori communities.
This new delivery structure will see Prison Services with a focus on custodial services and Community Probation Services focusing on the delivery of probation services.
To enable effective leadership of Corrections during this significant period of change and beyond, the Executive Management Team will be reshaped so that each role, and its key accountabilities, more accurately reflect the areas of focus for the Department going forward and the new structure being put in place.
While the primary driver of these changes is not about saving money, I have a clear expectation that over the medium to long term considerable cost efficiencies can be made with the removal of duplication and the streamlining of activities across the Department.
Collectively, these changes along with other Departmental projects will form the future programme of work for the next three years and will support the achievement of the Strategic Business Plan (2008-13).
Barry Matthews
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ISSN 1178-8453