D.11 Prisoner Gang Management (National Policy)

Authority for Policy

• Corrections Act 2004, Sections 11, 34

Policy Standard

• Prisons are managed as gang neutral. Prisoners are discouraged from involvement with gangs
  
• Prisons will actively discourage prisoners from joining or continuing to be members of gangs

Performance Standards

Temporary Removals or Releases

1. In addition to the provisions applied in PPM A.09, all prisoners who are identified as gang members or associates will only be approved temporary removals or temporary releases providing there is no likelihood of any involvement with gang members or associates in potentially gang-related activities.
2. In exceptional circumstances the Prison Manager may approve the escort or temporary removal or release of a prisoner who is identified as a gang member or associate to attend a tangi, funeral, unveiling or other compassionate occasion where gang members or associates may be present. Such approval may only be given providing:

Note: For the purpose of this section, ‘family relationships’ do not include relationships based solely on gang affiliations.

Gang Regalia

1. No gang-related insignia, drawings, carvings, clothing, posters or any other gang paraphernalia is permitted at any time
2. Possession of items in recognised gang colours are prohibited

General Performance Standards

1. The recruitment of prisoners into gangs and any gang-related activity is actively discouraged and may result in a misconduct charge being laid pursuant to section 128(1)(a) of the Act.
2. Prisons are to ensure gang leadership or hierarchy are not placed in positions or given such recognition whereby they are able to exercise influence for gang-related purposes or reduce the level of control exercised by prison management.
3. To ensure the safety and security of prison sites are maintained, it may be necessary for gang-associated prisoners to be moved away from their home area.
4. To prevent association with gang colleagues it may be necessary for gang-associated prisoners to be moved away from their home area.
5. All reasonable steps shall be taken to discourage prisoners from gang membership by providing programmes and opportunities to support prisoners leaving gangs (e.g. ethnic culture groups).
6. Prisons will provide gang-free units (where possible).
7. Regional Managers only may give approval to liaise with any gang networks when all other avenues fail.
8. Formal requests from the Police to meet with prisoner gang members can be approved only by the Regional Manager.
9. Staff must provide an explanation of the prisoner gang management policy during the induction process.
10. Under no circumstances are gang regalia to be worn on prison premises by a visitor.
11. Known gang members or affiliates, other than close family, are not to be on the prisoner’s approved telephone listing, unless approved by the Regional Manager.

Note: For the purpose of this policy, “close family” means: mother, father, brother, sister, husband, wife, children and grandparents. Approval may also be given where the visitor or person proposed for the approved visitor/telephone list is, or has been, in a relationship with the prisoner involving parental responsibility.