There are a range of activities undertaken by the Department to assist prisoners to obtain post-release employment. The wider context in which these activities are delivered is set out as a strategic map (refer Appendix 2).
Business-like industries operated by the Department provide work skills and habits for prisoners in work environments that match, as much as possible, a comparable industry environment outside of prisons.
The Department aims to develop industries in areas where work is available for prisoners on release. Industries in prisons include catering, laundry, forestry, farming, timber, horticulture, textiles and engineering.
Supervised prisoner contract gangs operate to give minimum security prisoners experience in forestry, horticulture, farming, construction and other industries. Prisoner work gangs currently operate in the Hawke’s Bay, Northland and Christchurch.
In addition to prisoner employment in business-like industries, prisoners are employed in the cleaning and care of their unit, community work, and other constructive activities. These activities assist prisoners to establish work habits and skills in a work-like, but non-commercial environment.
Prisoners approaching the end of their time in prison may be eligible for release to work. This enables the prisoner to obtain and engage in employment in the community with a view to maintaining that employment on release from prison.
| Employment Activity | Prisoner Hours |
| Farming, forestry, horticulture and other land-based activities. | 780,485 |
| Manufacturing, construction and labour-only services. | 883, 618 |
| Internal self-sufficiency activities such as kitchens and laundry, cleaning, and prison asset maintenance. | 2,951,040 |
| Release to work outside the prison boundaries during the day. | 30,350 |
| Undertaking community services work in supervised work parties outside the prison boundaries during the day. | 55,312 |
| TOTAL | 4,700,805 |
As well as providing a work ethic and work based skills and training, industries in prisons provide a range of opportunities for prisoners to obtain credits toward NZQA qualifications, including trade qualifications.
Employment related training also provides the opportunity for prisoners to gain work related skills required for employment. For example, obtaining a driver’s licence and basic computer skills.
The Department provides literacy and numeracy education, as well as courses leading to a National Certificate in Employment Skills (NCES), for prisoners with literacy and numeracy needs, or those who require basic education. Prisoners are also able to access student loans 1 to study at tertiary institutions, for example, Universities and Polytechnics.
| Number of prisoners commenced employment related training towards the achievement of an externally recognised qualification | 1,370 |
| Percentage of prisoners obtaining that qualification in prison | 83% |
1 Tuition fees only.