Notes to performance measures

Note # Reference/Performance measure Definition
1 New measure for 2011/1 These new performance measures are being introduced for the 2011/12 financial year.
2 New service delivery for 2011/12 These performance measures are not applicable for previous years and are being introduced for the 2011/12 financial year; these relate to the introduction of the private prison.
3 The percentage of reports provided to agreed standards (judiciary)

Probation reports

Reports are completed to formal standards as set out in the Community Probation Service Quality Assurance System (QAS). Specific guidelines are provided in respect of each of the individual report types that are included under the heading of ‘Probation’ reports.

Psychological reports

Psychological reports are completed to formal standards as set out in the Psychological Services Operations Manual (Chapter 3, Section 2) including:

  • Report is concise, logical and grammatically correct;
  • The source and referral reason are clearly stated;
    All relevant and appropriate information is included;
    Sources of information are well-documented (and verified);
  • Report contains a clear statement of appropriate recommendations;
  • Report documents appropriate care for rights of offenders, as specified in the Psychological Services Operations Manual;
  • Report is signed by the indicated parties or written explanation is given if signatures are missing.
4 The percentage of reports provided to court within agreed timeframes before sentencing

Probation reports

Reports are completed to timeframes as set out in the Community Probation Service Operations Manual. Specific timeframes are provided in respect of each of the individual report types that are included under the heading of ‘Probation’ reports.

Psychological reports

Psychological Services provide reports to court at least two working days before sentencing where a request is received, allowing an agreed minimum timeframe, as set out in the Psychological Services Operations Manual.

5 The percentage of reports provided to agreed standards (NZPB)

Parole Assessment reports

Quality standards are set by Rehabilitation and Reintegration Services. The Parole Assessment report is completed to the quality standard as identified in the Parole Assessment report quality assurance checklist including:

  • The report accurately reflects information available about the prisoner’s progress whilst in prison (including behaviour and attitude and progress made against planned rehabilitation and reintegration activities);
  • The report provides consistent information, with sufficient detail to minimise the likelihood of clarification questions from the NZPB;
  • The report responds to recommendations and questions posed by the NZPB at previous hearings;
  • Spelling, grammar and presentation are of a high standard.

Parole Progress reports

Reports are completed to formal standards as set out in the Community Probation Service QAS.

Psychological reports

Psychological reports are completed to formal standards as set out in the Psychological Services Operations Manual including:

  • Report is concise, logical and grammatically correct;
  • The source and referral reason are clearly stated;
  • All relevant and appropriate information is included;
  • Sources of information are well-documented (and verified);
  • Report contains a clear statement of appropriate recommendations;
  • Report documents appropriate care for rights of offenders, as specified in the Psychological Services Operations Manual;
  • Report is signed by the indicated parties or written explanation is given if signatures are missing.
6 The percentage of reports provided to agreed timeframes (NZPB)

Parole Assessment reports

Parole Assessment reports are provided to the NZPB at least 15 working days prior to the hearing date.

Parole Progress reports

Parole Progress reports are provided to the NZPB at least 10 working days prior to the hearing date.

Psychological reports

Psychological reports are prepared for the NZPB at least five weeks prior to the hearing date.

7 The percentage of registered victims who are notified as per Department and legislative requirements

Victims’ Rights Act 2002 (Date of assent 17 October 2002)

Part 3 – Provisions relating to rights of victims of certain offences.

Responsibility of Corrections in relation to victims who have asked for notice and given their current address.

8 The percentage of offenders who are notified as per the NZPB requirements
  • Offenders are notified of an impending hearing no later than 14 days from the date of the hearing
  • Offenders are notified of a Board decision no later than 14 days following receipt of the signed decision
9 The percentage of victims who are notified as per the NZPB requirements
  • Victims are notified of an impending hearing no later than 28 days from the hearing
  • Victims are notified of a Board decision no later than 14 days following receipt of the signed decision
10 The third party provider has made available to the Department all information as required under the contract
  • Monthly reporting
  • Quarterly reporting
  • Contractor performance reports
  • Notices issued
  • Meeting minutes
  • Performance notices
11 Routine relationship engagement surveys are conducted in line with the relationship principles as set out in the contract
  • Service approach
  • Teamwork
  • Risk sharing
  • Service evolution
  • Innovation
  • Transparency
12 Develop a structured approach with the third party provider to review and implement innovative improvement opportunities which can support sustainable cost savings and service improvements

The development of the structured approach will be based on the following areas:

  • Idea generation
  • Concept development
  • Business analysis
  • Testing
  • Implementation
13 Non-compliance events in relation to the third party provider are managed in accordance with the contract
  • Performance notices issued
  • Un-remedied performance notices issued
14 All information relative to the contract is provided to the third party provider in a timely manner to enable them to deliver the Department’s key strategies as per the requirements of the contract
  • Vote Corrections performance measures and standards
  • Statement of Intent (medium term focus of the Department)
  • Strategic business plans
  • Other accountability documents
15 The percentage of policy advice delivered to the Minister of Corrections that meets agreed standards
  • Includes a clear statement of purpose
  • Is accurate and uses sound information
  • Presents a clear, concise and logical argument, with explicit assumptions and supported by facts
  • Draws on professional knowledge and appropriate methodologies
  • Examines comparative material
  • Presents options
  • Uses a clear conceptual and well-articulated framework
  • Considers resource, legal and human rights, implication and implementation issues/practicability
  • Considers evaluation
  • Considers issues for Maori and Pacific peoples
  • Considers risk, costs and benefits
16 The percentage of policy advice delivered to the Minister of Corrections within agreed timelines Each policy advice item requested is subject to timelines agreed between the Minister and the Department.
17 Breakout escape Where a prisoner has breached security measures and the prisoner has physically left the area contained by the outermost perimeter fence or, if there is no such fence, prison buildings, police cell, court complex or other place of custodial control.
18 Other escape Where low security prisoners walk away from their place of supervision and escapes while under the supervision of officers during escorted outings including escorts to and from court.
19 Serious assault An act of physical violence that involves either: sexual assault of any form and degree, bodily harm requiring medical intervention by medical staff followed by overnight hospitalisation in a medical facility or bodily harm requiring ongoing medical intervention.
20 Unnatural death Unnatural deaths include apparent suicide, homicide, drug overdose and accident.
21 Self-harm threat-to-life Intentional acts of harm to which would most probably have led to death if there was no immediate intervention.
22 The percentage of eligible prisoners who are referred for a specialist health assessment within seven days of reception to a prison

The numbers of new receptions who have been assessed as requiring a cardio vascular risk assessment (CVRA) and have consented to a CVRA.

The number of prisoners who are in continuous custody and have received a CVRA within eight weeks of consent.

23 The total number of drug tests sampled Include: Voluntary Participant (manual), Reasonable Cause (manual), Identified Drug User Voluntary Participant (manual), Temporary Release (random), Identified Drug User (random), General Random (random)
24 The percentage of initial offender plans which meet the agreed quality standards

Quality standards are set by Rehabilitation and Reintegration Services and are assessed using a QA checklist in the Offender Management manual.

An offender plan is completed to standards as identified in the ‘Offender Plan Quality Assurance Checklist’, including:

  • The plan correctly identifies the prisoner’s ‘needs’ (i.e. the needs in the offender plan match the identified needs from the assessment);
  • The plan contains appropriate activities to address those needs (activities match the need and the prisoner is eligible to participate in the activity);
  • There is clear evidence to explain why the need and activities have been identified;
  • All necessary information and instructions have been given to other staff in the staff briefing sheet.
25 The percentage of initial offender plans which are completed to agreed timeframes
  • Corrections Act 2004, Section 51 – Management Plans
    For remand prisoners – within 56 days of a continuous period of remand (measure is percentage of plans that have not been created by day 57).
  • For short-serving prisoners, i.e. with time to serve between 28 days and 26 weeks – within 28 days of sentence commencement date (measure is percentage of plans that have not been created on day 29).
  • For longer serving prisoners, i.e. time to serve is more than 26 weeks – within 60 days of sentence commencement date (measure is percentage of plans that have not been created on day 61).
26 The percentage of prisoners entitled to receive an offender plan that received one

Corrections Act 2004 – Section 51. Management Plans

This section applies to every prisoner who is:

  • sentenced to imprisonment for a term of more than 2 months; or
  • in custody for a continuous period of more than 2 months on remand.
27 The percentage of prisoners that start classroom based adult literacy and numeracy education who met the selection criteria

Prisoners who do not meet the cut score on the post sentencing “Skills Check” screening tool are eligible to undertake specialist diagnostic assessment. Suitability to start the programme is determined by the provider at the assessment stage.

Prisoners are eligible if they:

  • Have been identified by the Department as having a literacy and/or numeracy need on their Offender Plan, and
  • Are subsequently identified by a literacy and numeracy specialist, following an Initial Diagnostic Assessment (IDA), as having a relevant level of literacy and/or numeracy need, and
  • Are motivated and have agreed to undertake the programme.

Note: Of these selection criteria only those prisoners identified with a literacy and numeracy need following an IDA will be measured.

28 The percentage of prisoners who started classroom based adult literacy and numeracy education who demonstrate measurable improvements in literacy and numeracy skills as measured by the Tertiary Education Commission Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool

Prisoners will be regularly assessed using the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool after each period of 32 hours of tuition.

Measurable improvements are where there is a statistically significant increase based on the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool.

29 The number of qualifications achieved by prisoners through Corrections Inmate Employment
  • National Certification (Nat Cert) – qualification listed on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) administered by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), composed of a prescribed number of unit standards and is a complete qualification. Range from level 1 to 4 within CIE.
  • Limited Credit Programme (LCP) – qualification listed on the NQF administered by the NZQA, composed of a number of unit standards and is not a complete National Cert but is a pathway towards.
  • Modularised Training Programme – qualification not listed on the NQF administered by an Industry Training Organisation (ITO), composed of a number of unit standards and is not a complete National Cert but is a pathway towards.
  • Trade Ticket – qualification underpinned by unit standards indicating trade currency and competency. Examples: 4711 Welding Ticket or Electrical Limited Regulation Ticket.
  • Drivers license – qualification composed of unit standards authorising individuals to drive prescribed types of vehicles.
  • Health and Safety – qualification sanctioned by ITO’s, underpinned by or containing unit standards. Examples are: first aid, Grow Safe and Site Safe.
30 Compliance with Health and Safety management An indication of the performance of CIE in managing its training and businesses in a safe and effective manner for prisoners and employees. The measure is based on the satisfactory completion of one annual assessment completed by ACC and two self assessments. These will be to secondary level standard according to the ACC standards. The measure includes any Department of Labour (DoL) on-site review following an accident being given a rating that incorporated approval to continue operating.
31 Offence focused interventions The Department delivers a number of interventions to both prisoners and offenders. These are targeted at addressing factors relating to offending. Offence-related interventions require offenders to examine the causes of their offending and develop specific skills and strategies to reduce the likelihood of their re-offending in the future.
32 Other rehabilitative interventions

The Department delivers a number of interventions to both prisoners and offenders. These are targeted at addressing factors relating to offending.

Rehabilitative interventions which are not specifically offence focussed encourage offenders to develop the motivation to change and learn new skills and strategies to enable them to modify their behaviour and reduce the likelihood of their re-offending in the future.

33 The percentage of psychological reports provided to the agreed quality standards
  • Reports are completed to formal standards as set out in the Psychological Services Operations Manual:
  • Report is concise, logical and grammatically correct;
  • The source and referral reason are clearly stated;
  • All relevant and appropriate information is included;
    Sources of information are well-documented (and verified);
  • Report contains a clear statement of appropriate recommendations;
  • Report documents appropriate care for rights of offenders, as specified in the Psychological Services Operations Manual;
  • Report is signed by the indicated parties or written explanation is given if signatures are missing.
34 The percentage of psychological reports provided within the agreed timeframe As described in Chapter 3 of the Psychological Services Operations Manual: Reports must be written and provided to Prison Services /Community Probation Service within 10 working days following completion of assessment and completion or termination of treatment.