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Introduction

Staff who have significant contact with the prisoner need to have information and awareness in the following areas:

  • principles of offender management
  • understanding of the prisoner
  • understanding of your role
  • knowing the key plan activities of the prisoner.

Principles of offender management

Training programmes will provide you with knowledge of this type. The main elements are summarised in the chapters of Part 1 of this manual.

Understanding of the prisoner

The offender plan and direct contact with the prisoner will provide you with knowledge of this type.

Prisoners on your case load

For these prisoners, you should have a thorough understanding of the plan and the assessments which form the basis of the plan.

You should also have an understanding of:

  • the prisoner’s current attitude towards plan elements, and
  • any specific characteristics of the prisoner that may affect their achievement of plan activities.

Prisoners not on your case load

For these prisoners, you should have a working knowledge of the prisoner’s category, and the main plan activities.

Understanding your role

Training programmes will mainly provide you with knowledge of this type. Your personal skills in “networking” and being creative in problem-solving will also assist.

Occasionally, you may have no role other than simply to monitor, observe, and pass on information.

Tailor the application of the principles

In applying all the principles of offender management, they must be tailored for each prisoner.

Example:

A prisoner needs to achieve the activity of “I will keep regular family / whanau contact”.

For this activity, you may need to call on a range of skills, including:

  • holding problem-solving discussions with the prisoner
  • contacting other people and seeking their input
  • making referrals to support services
  • advocating on behalf of the prisoner, etc.

Key plan activities

When you know the key plan activities, you will know what to look for in the course of your daily routine and interactions with the prisoner.


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