Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE) is a key business group within the Department of Corrections and is responsible for the delivery of employment and employment-related training to prisoners.
CIE provides employment training in all 20 of New Zealand’s prisons. The training provides an opportunity for prisoners to improve their work habits, work experience and skills. Prisoners are also encouraged to earn formal NZQA qualifications and unit standards through their employment training.
CIE operates a broad range of prison-based industries, including:
- land-based activities such as farming, forestry and horticulture;
- light engineering and manufacturing;
- textile operations;
- timber processing;
- internal self-sufficiency activities like prison maintenance, catering and laundry.
Prison-based industries mirror the private sector as closely as possible. This ensures prisoners work the hours that would be standard for the type of work they are doing. This enables them to get used to the expectations and requirements and to learn the basic skills associated with job routines.
The principles that govern the way activities are carried out are:
- Safe, secure and humane containment is paramount;
- The organisation and work methods resemble as closely as possible those of similar work activities experienced within the commercial sector which will prepare prisoners for employment once released;
- Prisoner employment industries generate an appropriate rate of commercial return and become self-funding within an appropriate time frame;
- Prisoner employment is developed in industries and occupations that provide the most relevant experience and training for sustainable, legitimate, post-release employment;
- The purpose and practices of CIE’s prisoner employment strategies are consistent with the goals and practices of the Government and the Department of Corrections;
- Prisoner employment opportunities are made available to all prisoners.
