Prisoner Retention

Induction

Prior to the arrival of a new prisoner into the PFU, arrangements will be made by staff and PFU prisoners to welcome the new prisoner in a manner that appropriately reflects the unit’s principles, processes, and practices.

The assigned Case Officer will lead the induction of a new prisoner to the unit coupled with a PFU prisoner who will undertake a buddy role.

Adapting quickly to the environment promoted in the unit will assist in making the new prisoner feel comfortable and therefore more willing to participate in the unit’s activities, interventions, and services as soon as possible.

Optimum Length of Time in the PFU

While prisoners such as Intervention and Motivation category prisoners with low motivation to address offending needs may benefit from extended periods in the unit, the optimal length of time in the PFU is 18 months.

At the point when a prisoner has spent 18 months in the unit, their case must be carefully reviewed to confirm that they are continuing to gain benefit from the placement.

Retention Assessment Criteria

While in the PFU prisoners must:

• adhere to the rules of the unit, as defined in the agreement signed on entry
• comply with their sentence plan, including participating in programmes and performance of work; and
• agree to attend other activities and work and education programmes when not participating in the Saili Matagi and Pacific Legends programmes.

Exit Process

The exit process in relation to the PFU is:

• Significant breaches that affect the safety and security of the unit, and minor breaches including those under the PFU Code of Conduct, are dealt with under Section A.07 of the PPM.
• Prisoners exited from the Unit for minor breaches may re-apply to return to the PFU, but must repeat the pre-entry assessment to determine their suitability. Such prisoners must wait at least six weeks after exiting the unit before re-applying for entry.

Progressively Evidenced Removal

If a prisoner behaves in such a way that undermines the Operating Principles or consistently breaches the PFU Code of Conduct, removal from the unit may take place under the provisions described below.

• Where evidence has been gathered by PFU management and / or staff indicating repeated breaches of the unit’s Code of Conduct, or failure to attend a scheduled intervention, a verbal warning is issued and noted on the prisoner’s file.
• Should a prisoner continue to contravene the Code of Conduct, a meeting between the prisoner and Unit Manager / delegate will be organised within three working days from the date of the warning to discuss the prisoner’s behaviour.
• Strategies will be discussed and an agreed plan will be put in place to help stop further breaches. The prisoner will also be advised that should the breaches continue then a formal warning will be issued and this could lead to being exited from the unit.
• A written warning will be given to the prisoner and a copy will be placed in file notes and the prisoner’s prison file.
• Should further breaches be evidenced, then the prisoner will be advised to exit the unit. The IMC will be notified and the prisoner transferred out as soon as practicable.

Prisoners exited from the unit under the Progressively Evidenced Removal provisions may re-apply to return to the PFU, but must repeat the pre-entry assessment to determine their suitability. Such prisoners must wait at least six weeks after exiting the unit before re-applying for entry.

Removal from the Unit

Where a prisoner has requested to be exited, the Movement Coordinator will be notified and transfer take place as soon as it can be actioned depending on the muster situation.

This is a low priority transfer and the prisoner may remain in the unit until the transfer can be actioned.

However, the Unit Manager and staff are encouraged to investigate the underlying reasons why a prisoner has requested to be exited from the unit and look at other options before acting on such a request.