Each referred prisoner is interviewed prior to placement in the PFU to ensure that they meet the following entry criteria:
- Has no more than 24 months remaining on their sentence left to serve (ideally prisoners’ placements in the unit conclude at the same time as their custodial sentences expire).
- Is in one of the following Prison Service Sentence Management categories of Intervention, Maintenance, Short Serving or Motivation
- Agrees to comply with the PFU Code of Conduct (prior to entry to the Unit, prisoners give written consent to comply with all requirements, including unit policy on drug use).
- Has no positive drug tests within eight weeks prior to entry.
- Has completed any necessary detoxification processes prior to entry to the unit, except for prescribed medicines.
- Is not suffering from any psychiatric, intellectual or physical disability that would prevent adequate participation in the life of the unit.
- Is fully informed about, and consents to enter, the unit and any identified treatment programmes
Exceptions to sentence management categories i.e., the number of prisoners in the categories of ‘intervention or motivation’ placed in the PFU should not exceed seven at any one time.
Pre-entry screening of referred prisoners
In interviewing referred prisoners, the Manager interviews the applicant to determine his:
- understanding of the unit’s operating philosophy (in particular the use of Pacific principles, processes, and practices to support and encourage offenders to address their offending needs);
- understanding of the terms of the 'Agreement for Living in the Pacific Focus Unit' (in particular the conditions regarding gang-related activities, and respect for and cooperation with all people who live, work, and visit the unit regardless of their offence(s) or ethnicity);
- cultural background, experience, and skills; and, reasons for wanting to be in the unit.
In all cases, the manager clearly records the reasons for all decisions made. Prisoners are informed of the outcome of the interview and the referring Case Manager / Unit is also advised.
Depending on vacancies, accepted prisoners will go on a waiting list in order of timing of acceptance, and are transferred to the Pacific Focus Unit as places become available.
