Policy Standard
- Prisoners are released from the prison in accordance with legislative requirements
Performance Standard
- Staff are competent to implement release procedures.
- A prisoner who is due to be discharged (including a release to home detention) on any Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday or any one of the following non-release days:
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
- New Years Day
- January 2nd
- Waitangi Day
- Easter Monday
- Anzac Day
- Sovereign’s Birthday
- Labour Day
- in respect of release from a particular place, the anniversary day of the region in which that place is situated
is released on the nearest preceding Wednesday, Tuesday or Monday.
- A prisoner serving a sentence of fourteen days or less is released on their calculated release date regardless of what day of the week that date is or whether it falls on a statutory holiday.
- A prisoner confirmed for release is released between 7.00am and 8.00pm except under an arrangement between the Prison Manager and the Police, a Court Registrar or a security contractor or in exceptional circumstances.
- A prisoner is imprisoned for non-payment of fines and the Prison Manager receives written notice from a Court Registrar that the fine(s) for which the warrant of commitment was issued have been paid, the prisoner is released.
- A prisoner who is due to be released from a prison on a particular date but who is not physically in the prison is to have their release processed on that date.
- A prisoner being released is held in safe and secure conditions.
- A prisoner is released with correct release documentation (including the correct “Release Licence”) and correct property.
- A prisoner must be paid all the money held exclusively for that prisoner in the trust account on release.
- A prisoner's identity is confirmed before their release.
- The released prisoner's prison file and medical files are stored separately and securely.
- A prisoner's release details are entered in IOMS.
- A prisoner's release is planned to ensure that all necessary actions can be undertaken within the required times.
- A prisoner is bailed following correct written notification of bail from the Court.
- Where bail is dependent upon a surety being required, the prisoner is not released until written notification of the signing of the appropriate documents is received from the court by facsimile.
