National Requirement
- The Manager of a prison must take all practicable steps to ensure that a prisoner’s property is returned to the prisoner on the day on which the prisoner is discharged or released; but -
- the prisoner’s property must first be checked against the property register; and
- the prisoner must then be asked to check the relevant entries in the register and sign a written receipt for the property to be returned; and
- no property may be returned unless the prisoner has signed an appropriate receipt for it.
- If, on checking the property against the property register, it is found that a prisoner’s property does not correspond with the relevant entries in the property register, the matter must be referred to the Prison Manager; and resolved by the Prison Manager reasonably promptly.
- Where a prisoner dies while under the Prison Manager’s control, the Prison Manager must ensure that the deceased persons property is managed in accordance with the provisions of PPM B.08.02.
These requirements do not apply to a prisoner who is released from custody under section 62 of the Corrections Act (temporary release or temporary removal) or who is to be transferred from one prison to another prison or place.
Key Roles and Responsibilites
Prison Manager
- Responsible for the overseeing of the return of prisoner property upon a prisoner's release or discharge.
- Responsible for resolving discrepancies between prisoner property and the record on thye Property Register held on IOMS.
- Responsible for the prompt return of property to the family/whanau of a prisoner that has died in custody. (Refer PPM B.08.02).
Unit Staff
- Check all prisoner property from the unit that is not for overnight use against the Property Register on IOMS prior to release or discharge.
- Check items with the prisoner present.
- Have prisoner sign receipt for property returned to him/her. No property will be returned unless a written receipt has been signed by the prisoner.
- Seal boxes after checking and label clearly.
- Arrange to have property taken to the Receiving Office for re-checking prior to release.
- On day of prisoner release, send prisoner to Receiveing Office to collect the remainder of his/her property.
Receiving Office Staff / Property Officer
- Complete all relevant procedures prior to release or discharge.
- Have prisoner check Register and sight items.
- Have prisoner sign for receipt of items.
- Hand over items to prisoner on departure.
