Ministry of Social Development

Objective

The agreement with the Ministry of Social Development has been developed to provide a framework for the ongoing relationship between the Department of Corrections and the Department of Work and Income NZ. It is acknowledged that:

• offenders are disproportionately represented amongst the long-term unemployed.
• there is a link between unemployment and offending
• offenders have special needs for reintegrative support, particularly on release from prison or on community-based sentences, and
• adequate income and employment assistance are critical to the successful reintegration of offenders into society.

Topics covered

The following services to be provided by Work and Income are included in the schedules to the MoU:

• provision of printed and electronic information regarding services and products, and
• one-to-one support.

The following services are to be provided by CPS:

• disclosure of offender's sentence to Work and Income (where offender consent has been obtained), and
• provision of information to employers about Home Detention.

Eligibility unaffected

Eligibility for unemployment benefit is not affected by participation in work activities during normal business hours, in fulfilment of a community based sentence, provided that the offender:

• maintains current registration with Work and Income, and
• can and does undertake reasonable follow-up of all possible employment opportunities.

If conflict arises

Conflict may arise between reporting requirements of unemployed offenders and their requirements in respect of the unemployment benefit. If such conflict arises, immediately re-negotiate the requirements for the offender.