Conducting research in Ara Poutama Aotearoa

The Department of Corrections (Corrections) supports a wide variety of research and values evidence-based insights and practice.

People who wish to carry out research with our staff, people under Corrections management or using our data require approval from the Research and Evaluation Steering Committee (RESC) to proceed.

Requesting research access

All approaches, expressions of interest and applications regarding research should be made through research@corrections.govt.nz. More detail on how to apply is included on this page.

Applicants are requested not to approach individual sites or individual correctional staff members with their research proposal.

RESC does not consider requests by individuals for non-research purposes.

Official Information requests should be made under the Official Information Act.

Who can apply?

Research access is open to New Zealand-based researchers or international researchers with a New Zealand-based affiliation. This includes:

• university-based researchers
• post-graduate research students
• international researchers
• Corrections staff undertaking research as part of their academic studies
• researchers employed by government agencies (other than Corrections)
• commercial researchers.

Research application process

There is a two-step process for research applications:

Step 1 - Review by the Technical Review Committee (TRC). If the application is shortlisted it proceeds to:

Step 2 - Review by the Research and Evaluation Steering Committee (RESC).

Step 1: Technical Review Committee (TRC)

Research applications will go to TRC for initial review. Proposals of the highest quality will be shortlisted to proceed to review by the Research and Evaluation Steering Committee (RESC).

Requirements

• Complete the research application template in full, with all relevant documents (e.g. information sheets, consent forms, interview questions).
• The research application should be peer reviewed prior to submission by a supervisor or relevant member of staff if not attached to a university.
• Completed forms should be submitted via email to research@corrections.govt.nz

TRC review criteria

In reviewing Research Applications, the TRC will consider the following criteria:

• Research methodology and design
• Sampling, data collection and analysis
• Ethical considerations related to the conduct of the research or impact on the offender population
• Data availability and quality
• Privacy and confidentiality of data
• Protection of Māori cultural interests, wellbeing and the provision of mechanisms for Māori participation
• Alignment with the Department’s duty of care, to participants in research which includes protection from projects which might cause harm, on-going stress, or inconvenience
• Research does not overlap or duplicate existing Department work.

Following review by the TRC, applicants will be informed if their application has either been:

• Approved to proceed to review by RESC
• Declined.

Timing

• Research applications may be submitted at any time for review by the TRC.
• RESC meets three times a year.
• Research applications should be submitted at least 5 weeks prior to a scheduled RESC meeting.

Step 2: Research and Evaluation Steering Committee (RESC) review

Only shortlisted applications from Step 1 will proceed to Research and Evaluation Steering Committee (RESC) review.

RESC is composed of Corrections staff and key personnel with specialist and/or research knowledge.

RESC considerations

• Value to Corrections and/or public interest
• Responsiveness to emerging trends and current challenges
• Alignment with our refreshed Hōkai Rangi strategy
• Contribution to Corrections’ strategic objectives
• Risks and benefits of the research
• Resource demands on staff.

NOTE: RESC is not an ethics committee. Research applicants should seek full ethics committee approval from a recognised ethics committee following approval from RESC.

Notification: Applicants will be notified of RESC’s decision by email within 2-3 weeks following the committee meeting.

Following review by the RESC, applicants will be informed if their application has been either:

• Approved
• Approved in principle with amendments
• Declined

RESC Meeting Dates

RESC meets three times a year to assess Full Research Applications

Data requests

• Data requests can be made in the Full Research Application.
• Requests will be processed only after final approval for the research proposal is given.

How to apply

Download the Full Research Application DOCX, 349.4 KB

Applications must be emailed to research@corrections.govt.nz.

Hard copies by mail will not be accepted.

After research is approved

Research Agreement

Researchers will receive a formal agreement outlining responsibilities and obligations. The Research Agreement also covers any conflicts of interest and how they will be managed. The Research Agreement will be signed by the Manager Research on behalf of Corrections and should be signed by the applicant and their supervisor.

Site access

Final access approval rests with Prison General Managers in collaboration with their Security Managers (custodial) and Service Centre managers (probation and parole).

Access depends on facility capacity and timing.

Approvals required for site access:

• Criminal Conviction Check.
• Approval for recording devices or other electronic equipment.
• Specified Visitor Application Form may be required.

Reporting obligations to RESC

Final research documents must be submitted to Corrections before dissemination and final drafts must be reviewed by RESC before submission to academic examiners.

The reviewers will consider the report content with particular attention to:

• factual inaccuracies concerning Corrections, its policies, or operations
• if the research reporting is supported by the evidence
• findings with potential relevance for improving Corrections’ policies or operations.

Where factual inaccuracies are identified, or where the research reporting is not found to be supported by the evidence, the author will be required (in the case of inaccuracies) or asked (in the case of reporting unsupported by the evidence) to make changes or modifications.

The research document should also display a disclaimer stating that the research document does not represent the views of Corrections. The revised version of the report must then be resubmitted before approval is given.

Drafts should be emailed to research@corrections.govt.nz at least 20 working days prior to any proposed distribution.

Priority research areas

The following are priority areas of interest for Corrections, but we also welcome other research topics which are in the public interest.

• Improving public safety
• Reducing reoffending
• Addressing Māori over-representation
• Barriers to treatment and successful reintegration
• Remand/bail experiences
• Gangs
• Probation and Community sentences
• Neuro-cognitive strengths and challenges
• Addiction and mental health
• Desistance
• Māori wellbeing and participation
• Rehabilitation and reintegration
• Staff wellbeing and workforce development
• Innovations in custodial and community-based practices