Complaints statistics

Updated 31 January 2023

PC.01 Prison Complaints

PC.01 complaints about prisons can be made in confidence to unit staff or directly to prison management. Where possible, we try to resolve complaints at the lowest appropriate level. Generally, this means corrections officers are the first to receive a complaint and will attempt to resolve it informally.

If a resolution cannot be achieved at this level, a person in prison can submit a formal complaint through the PC.01 process. Find out more about the PC.01 process.

Number of PC.01 complaints received and closed by financial year

View number of PC.01 complaints by prison and by category PDF, 100.3 KB

Community Probation complaints received by Category

Complaints about Community Corrections can be made in confidence to a Community Corrections staff member. Where possible, we try to resolve complaints at the lowest appropriate level. Generally, this means probation officers are the first to receive a complaint and will attempt to resolve it informally. If a complaint cannot be resolved at this level, a formal complaint can be made. A formal complaint will be passed to a community district manager. They will investigate a complaint and may involve other staff or more senior management if necessary

Prison Escort and Court Custodial Services (PECCS) Complaints

First Security is contracted by Corrections to provide Prison Escort and Court Custodial Services. The number of complaints received about the PECCS are outlined below. The statistics are also reported in our Annual Reports.

(1) Statistics are as at 12 January 2023

Victim Notification Register (VNR) Complaints

Victim notification gives victims of serious crime, who are registered on the victim notification register, a way to stay informed about the person who offended against them. If a person on the register feels that they have not been provided with information they should have or their safety has been compromised in any way, they have the right to make a complaint.  The number of complaints about the VNR are outlined below. The statistics are also reported in our Annual Reports.

Unwanted Prison Mail Complaints

Corrections provides people in prison with writing paper and envelopes, and pays for standard postage for up to three letters per week. If a person in prison wants to send a fast post letter or a parcel, they must pay for this themselves. Prisons send and receive vast quantities of mail every year. All letters (with some exceptions) are checked by staff for contraband. Mail may also be checked by our detector dogs so there can sometimes be a delay in prisoners receiving them.

We take all complaints and enquiries about unwanted prison mail very seriously. You can call 0800 345 006 or email mailcomplaints@corrections.govt.nz if you have an enquiry or complaint about unwanted prison mail. You can also complete the online complaint form, that will be delivered to the same email. Completing the online form will ensure you record all information we need to process your enquiry quickly. The email and 0800 line are staffed weekdays only. Voice messages can be left after hours and staff will respond.

Office of the Inspectorate complaints

The Office of the Inspectorate investigates complaints from people in prison and on community-based sentences and orders. Generally, complaints should be resolved at the lowest level. If a person is in prison, this means using the PC.01 system first. If a person is in the community they should speak to a Community Corrections staff member to try to resolve their concern first. If, after that, a person still believes they have been treated unfairly or unreasonably, they can make a complaint to the Inspectorate.  In cases of urgency or safety, a complaint can be made directly to the Inspectorate.  Statistics on the number of complaints received by the Office of the Inspectorate are available on their website.