Christchurch earthquake response

Following the devastating Christchurch earthquake on February 22, Corrections staff from around the country have been pulling together to ensure all prisoners and community-based offenders in the area continue to be managed appropriately.

Immediately after the quake Corrections established an Emergency Operations Centre in Christchurch to enable a quick and effective response to help our people and the wider community.

For staff in Christchurch, the immediate priority has been their families and homes, and staff who need it have been encouraged to take special leave.

Community Probation Services (CPS) in Christchurch were particularly hard hit, with many service centres closing due to damage. With the need to continue monitoring offenders, seven camper vans were sourced and fitted with IT equipment so staff have a base to work from. 

CPS has been working closely with electronic monitoring company G4S and Police to locate all offenders on home detention in Christchurch, many of whom had to leave their homes. For offenders who are able to safely remain in their homes, and who have
power, monitoring continues as normal. Those offenders who have no power or who have been forced to move are being visited regularlyto confirm they are staying at an approved address.

Staff from around the country have been volunteering to cover for their Christchurch colleagues who have suffered damage or losses at home.  CPS staff from other regional offices have been going to Christchurch in groups of 20 to relieve local colleagues.At least 80 Prison Services staff have also been helping – both covering shifts in Christchurch’s prisons and assisting CPS staff to manage community based offenders. 

All three prisons in the Canterbury region – Christchurch Men’s, Christchurch Women’s and Rolleston Prisons – sustained only minor damage from the quake and subsequent aftershocks. Having safe and habitable prison buildings put Corrections in a position to
help the general community.  Prisoners from Rolleston were moved to Christchurch Men’s to free up accommodation for Civil Defence personnel, emergency service workers and volunteers. One 17-bed block at Christchurch Men’s Prison was emptied to provide
Police cells, if necessary.

Ministry of Justice Court buildings in Christchurch remain closed, so Corrections has set up a temporary centre at Christchurch Men’s Prison to help keep the Courts running. 

Feeding large numbers is something Corrections is good at. Displaced people at welfare centres in New Brighton and Rangiora appreciated 140 beef stroganoff meal packs catered by Corrections Inmate Employment kitchens.

Prison horticulture instructors have been putting together daily vegetable packs from prison gardens and delivering them to the Salvation Army and community kitchens catering for the emergency services. 

As the city moves into its clean-up process, offenders on community work are being put to good use. By 1 March
400 offenders were availablefor community work projects.