Section 59(1)(b) of the Corrections Act 2004 provides that the Prison Manager (or his / her authorised delegate) may direct the opportunity of a prisoner to associate with other prisoners be restricted or denied if the Prison Manager (or his / her authorised delegate) is satisfied that the safety of the prisoner has been put at risk by another person and there is no reasonable way to ensure the safety of the prisoner other than by giving that direction.
The segregation of a prisoner under section 59(1)(b) is referred to as “directed protective custody” in this National System.
A direction for directed protective custody expires after 14 days unless, before it expires, the Chief Executive, or his or her delegate, directs that it continue in force (section 59(4)(c)).
The direction must, if it continues beyond 14 days, be reviewed by the Chief Executive, or his or her delegate, at intervals of not more than 3 months (section 59(4)(d)).
A recommendation to continue a segregation direction beyond 3 months and any subsequent recommendation to further continue the direction must reach the Chief Executive, or his or her delegate, at least 7 days before the expiry date of the segregation direction.