A.09.01.R1 Temporary release to assist reintegration or rehabilitation

Guideline: Unless otherwise specified, releases must be undertaken between 8.00am and 9.00pm on the same day and with sponsorship verifications dealt with by PS and / or CPPS at the discretion of the Prison Manager.

Times may be varied at the Prison Manager’s discretion where the release commences prior to 8.00am or is not necessarily concluded by 9.00pm.

A prisoner may be on temporary release:

• for up to three separate periods on separate days between the hours of 8.00am and 9.00pm
• • Guideline: Times may be varied at the Prison Manager’s discretion where the project / activity commences prior to 8.00am or is not necessarily concluded by 9.00pm.
• Reg. 27 (e), (p) and (q): for a pre-release purpose involving the collection or purchase of clothing, arrangement of accommodation, or any other such issue with an agency necessary for imminent release back into the community.
• • Guideline: The Prison Manager is to determine whether or not a sponsor is required; if required the sponsor is to be approved by the Prison Manager.
• Reg. 27(t): to enable a prisoner to play as member of an established community sports team in a local competition.
• • Guideline: The Prison Manager is to determine whether or not a sponsor is required; if required the sponsor is to be approved by the Prison Manager.
• Reg. 27(s): for a prisoner to participate in an outdoor pursuit activity.
• • Guideline: The Prison Manager is to determine whether or not a sponsor is required; if required the sponsor is to be approved by the Prison Manager for such time as is necessary.
• Reg. 27(j): to attend a restorative justice conference.
• • Guideline: The Prison Manager is to determine whether or not a sponsor is required; if required the sponsor is to be approved by the Prison Manager.
• Reg. 27(k): to attend a family group conference.
• • Guideline: The Prison Manager is to determine whether or not a sponsor is required; if required the sponsor is to be approved by the Prison Manager.

Temporary release for a programme

• Reg. 27(d): to attend any agency for assessment or treatment of the prisoner’s rehabilitative or reintegrative needs.
• • Guideline: Temporary release for up to maximum of 16 weeks with an approved sponsor for a prisoner to be assessed for and / or attend a drug and alcohol programme, or social skills programme run by an established community group or organisation, at a treatment centre approved by the National Services Manager / Manager Service Support after consultation with the Director Psychological Service or other appropriate person(s).

Approved treatment centres

Guideline: The following treatment centres have been approved for the purposes of temporary release to assist reintegration or rehabilitation (other treatment centres will be considered by the National Services Manager / Manager Service Support for approval, as requests are received):

Temporary release home leave

• Reg. 27(a): Prisoners may apply for temporary release to visit the prisoner’s family.
• • Guideline: Home leave to visit the prisoner’s family for residential reintegration, with a CPPS-recommended sponsor, for a maximum of three consecutive days (72 hours plus travelling time at the Prison Manager’s discretion).
    
    CPPS should determine whether a sponsor is required; the Prison Manager should approve any sponsor required, approve the length of the temporary release, and approve any additional travelling time. Once approved, further home leaves may be taken at two monthly intervals at the Prison Manager’s discretion.

Temporary release for employment, education and reintegrative purposes in the community

Reg. 27(b): Prisoners may apply for temporary release to undertake paid employment (including self employment). Refer to A.09.02 Release to Work.

Reg. 27(c): Prisoners may apply for temporary release to seek employment (whether directly with a prospective employer or through an agency) or to receive vocational or other training.

Reg.27(f): Prisoners may apply for temporary release to visit a community facility for educational, cultural or recreational purposes.

Reg. 27(r): Temporary release to be involved in a community project or other reintegrative activity in association with staff or members of service clubs, religious or cultural groups, or other community organisations.

Guideline: The Prison Manager is to determine whether or not a sponsor is required; if required the sponsor is to be approved by the Prison Manager.

The temporary release may be:

• on a daily basis to attend an educational or training course(s)
• on a daily basis to seek employment
• for a maximum of five days (120 hours) at a time where residence away from the prison is involved, for educational purposes.

The temporary release may enable involvement in a community project or any other reintegrative activity (in association with staff and / or members of a service club, cultural, or religious group, or other community organisation).

Temporary release for medical and other treatment / care purposes

Reg. 27(l) and (m) and Guidelines: When deciding applications for temporary releases for medical and other treatment / care purposes under regulation 27(l) and (m) the following admissions and appointments are generally covered, however this list is not exhaustive:

• Appointments with general medical practitioners or medical specialists for assessment or treatment that is not available in the prison.
• Appointments to hospitals or medical centres for outpatient treatment that is not available in the prison.
• Admissions to hospitals for treatment.
• Admissions to hospices, geriatric and palliative care institutions.
• Appointments with dentists and dental technicians for assessment or treatment that is not available in the prison.
• Appointments with physiotherapists, podiatrists or similar for assessment or treatment that is not available in the prison.
• Appointments with psychiatrists or psychologists for assessment or treatment that is not available in the prison.
• Appointments with eye specialists and opticians for assessment or treatment that is not available in the prison.
• Other medical appointments approved by the prison’s medical officer.

Temporary release on compassionate and childbirth grounds

Reg. 27(g), (h) and (o): The following purposes relate to temporary releases on compassionate and childbirth grounds.

Note: No additional guidelines apply to these purposes.

1. To visit a member of the prisoner’s family, or close friend who is:
   1. seriously ill; or
   2. incapacitated; or
   3. to accompany and support a seriously ill member of the prisoner's family during medical treatment.
2. To attend the funeral, tangi, or subsequent ceremonial commemoration of the death (for example, the unveiling of a headstone) of a family member or close friend.
3. To enable the prisoner to give birth to a child, or attend the birth of the prisoner’s own child or visit the prisoner’s newborn child.

Temporary release to Police

Police request

Reg. 26(1)(d), 27(u) and (v) and Guideline

• Reg. 27(u): Prisoners may be temporarily released to assist the Police in relation to the prevention, investigation, and detection of offences. A prisoner must consent to being released for this purpose.
• Reg. 27(v): Prisoners may be temporarily released to enable the police to exercise powers under section 32 or 33 of Policing Act 2008 in connection with the laying of charges.
• Guideline: Such temporary releases are only to be approved on the written request from Police National Headquarters (Operations).

Approval levels

Guideline: All applications for a prisoner’s temporary release to Police require the approval of the Regional Operations Manager or Regional Manager or Manager Service Support / Operations or the Assistant General Manager Operations or GMPS.