B.09.01.04 Volunteers

Policy Standard

• Volunteering activity is an essential part of the prison environment.
• Volunteers come from many different social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Volunteers may prefer to work through a voluntary organisation or independently; as part of a team or as an individual.
• Volunteers are valued and respected members of the wider community, working in partnership with, but not ‘owned’ by, the Department.
• There are different cultural ‘worldviews’ of the terms ‘volunteer’ and ‘volunteering’ and that these differences should be respected and valued.
• Volunteers should not replace paid staff.

Prison Volunteers – a Definition

• For the purposes of the volunteer policy, a volunteer means a person who seeks to engage in specified, unpaid activities (voluntary work) within Prison Services for the benefit of prisoners, their whānau and the wider community.
• The volunteer policy excludes Kaiwhakamana (Māori cultural visitors), Fautua Pasefika (Pacific Island cultural visitors) and those volunteers who wish to provide random or one-off services or activities, such as an annual concert.
• The volunteer policy is specifically designed for volunteers who wish to offer their services in a regular and on-going capacity and become a Volunteer: Specified Visitor (an ‘approved volunteer’) in terms of the Corrections Act 2004 and Regulations 2005.

‘One-off’ volunteers

Volunteers or volunteer groups who wish to enter a prison for a random or one-off service or activity, (such as a concert or drama production) should contact the appropriate Prison Manager.

Information for Volunteers

• The Information for Volunteers Booklet (B.09.01.04.F1) provides information on the following topics:
• • What sort of person can become a volunteer;
  • What kind of services do volunteers provide;
  • How can people become involved in prison ministry;
  • What non-religious activities can volunteers be involved in;
  • How will a volunteer application be assessed;
  • Does a previous sentence of imprisonment prevent a person from becoming a volunteer;
  • What does induction training for volunteers involve;
  • How often can a person volunteer;
  • Can a volunteer claim ‘out of pocket’ expenses;
  • How will volunteers personal details be kept;
  • The issue of ID cards;
  • What volunteers can bring into prison with them;
  • Searching provisions;
  • The complaints/issues process;
  • Approval terms;
  • Useful contacts.

See Related Links to access the Information for Volunteers Booklet (B.09.01.04.F1).

Handling complaints/ issues about the behaviour or conduct of a volunteer

Refer to the Volunteer Complaints Flowchart (B.09.01.04.F2) for the process and timeframes for handling complaints/ issues about the behaviour or conduct of volunteers.

See Related Links to access the Volunteer Complaints Flowchart (B.09.01.04.F2).