Legal Mandate
The Department operates within a strong legislative environment comprising principally of:
- The Corrections Act 2004 (and the Corrections Regulations 2005) came into force on 1 June 2005. It provides the legal framework for the management of prisons, prisoners and offenders serving community-based sentences. The Department of Corrections administers the Corrections Act.
- The Sentencing Act 2002 (and the Sentencing Regulations 2002) came into force on 30 June 2002. Together with the Parole Act 2002, it largely repealed and replaced the Criminal Justice Act 1985. The Sentencing Act was substantially amended in 2004 and in 2007 to introduce, among other things, a new sentencing hierarchy aimed at strengthening community sentences. The Department of Corrections and the Ministry of Justice jointly administer the Sentencing Act.
- The Parole Act 2002 (and the Parole Regulations 2002) came into force on 30 June 2002. Together with the Sentencing Act 2002, it largely repealed and replaced the Criminal Justice Act 1985. The Parole Act was substantially amended in 2004 and 2007 to implement changes related to the new sentencing hierarchy. It deals with the release from detention of offenders serving sentences of imprisonment. The Department of Corrections and the Ministry of Justice jointly administer the Parole Act.
