Annual Report 2008/09

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Chief Executive's overview

Many new opportunities and challenges were presented to the Department in 2008/09. A new government was elected during the year, bringing with it a new set of priorities and initiatives to the corrections system. The global economic recession has also meant that the Department is operating in a tighter fiscal environment than was expected. Early in 2009 I initiated a Value for Money review to ensure that the Department was able to demonstrate excellence in the delivery of correctional services; that we were delivering services that are aligned with the Government’s priorities and expectations, and that services were being delivered in the most cost effective and efficient way possible. Implementation of changes arising from the Review will be undertaken during 2009/10.

Early in 2009, the Auditor-General’s report into the management of parole and subsequent report by the State Services Commission highlighted instances where operational procedures were not followed consistently while managing parolees. To address these concerns an Expert Panel was appointed to oversee the implementation of the Department’s ‘Plan to Improve Compliance with Procedures for Managing Parole Orders’.

The purpose of this plan was to outline the work underway or work that is planned to address the impediments to, and ensure that staff follow, the procedures for managing parole orders. The approach to addressing these issues is being undertaken in four work streams, each of which ensures:

  • the appropriate level of resources to manage the volume of work to the expected standards and procedures;
  • that operational procedures and systems are appropriate, easily understood and well communicated;
  • appropriate support is in place for Probation Officers and managers, including training, ongoing communication of changes, organisational structure and administrative support; and
  • an organisational culture that supports compliance with procedures and accountability. This includes an appropriate level of management oversight so that performance is managed and action is taken as required to address issues.

Recognising that the majority of improvements have already been made, the Panel has also been focusing on the future and has recommended a three to five year programme of change. Specific elements of the programme are currently being developed and this work will continue into 2009/10.

A contributing factor to the issue of staff compliance has been the major challenge posed by the increased demand for our services in the community. To cope with the increased use of community-based sentences and orders by the judiciary, the Department was granted additional funds in Budget 2009 to recruit more staff, provide for infrastructure needs and improve the quality of managing community-based sentences.

The Department has achieved a significant number of operational initiatives during 2008/09, including:

  • supporting the passage of the Corrections Amendment Act 2009, giving the Department additional search and detection powers, especially in relation to drugs and cell-phones. It also enhances existing powers to strip-search prisoners and conduct random searches of the prison;
  • designing and delivering of cell phone jamming equipment at 20 prison sites. Installation and tuning at Auckland, Mt Eden and Auckland Central Remand Prisons are due for completion in early 2009/10. Temporary micro cell designs have been installed at Rimutaka and Northland Region Corrections Facility before permanent solutions are implemented;
  • developing a new Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2009-2014 to further build on the progress that the previous strategy delivered. The Department’s success in reducing the availability of drugs and alcohol can be seen in the falling positive drug test results; 35 percent in 1998 when drug testing was first introduced, to 11 percent in 2008/09; continuing implementation of the Prisoner Employment Strategy 2006-2009 with satisfactory progress made in the area of prisoner employment despite a tough economic environment. An average of 2,440 prisoners were employed by Corrections Inmate Employment for the year, including 150 on release to work. In addition to this, total New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) credits achieved by prisoners were 82 percent higher than 2007/08, which is a great achievement. The Department has also developed a new Prisoner Skills and Employment Strategy 2009-2012 for consideration in early 2009/10; and
  • undertaking a review of the Mäori Focus Units and the Mäori Therapeutic Programme. Findings from those reviews are informing work on improving the Units and the development of a Mäori reintegration model (Whare Oranga Ake).

The rate of escapes per 100 prisoners for the 2008/09 financial year was 0.15; this is a significant reduction when compared to the 0.29 reported in the 2007/08 financial year. This is a positive result for the Department and the lowest escape rate recorded.

As staff safety is a key priority for the Department, a major milestone was achieved with the announcement of new measures to be introduced in prisons which are designed to improve staff safety. All Corrections Officers are to receive increased communications and de-escalation training, and further items of personal protective equipment will be made available to selected staff in specific situations. Three days training in tactical communications and de-escalation will be given to all Corrections Officers across the country. The Department is also progressing work on providing a safer working environment for our Probation Officers.

The need for a constant focus on safety and risk management is important as there were 11 serious prisoner on staff assaults during the 2008/09 financial year, with a rate of 0.14 serious assaults on staff per 100 prisoners. This is an increase on the six serious assaults recorded for the 2007/08 financial year. There were also 43 serious prisoner on prisoner assaults in the 2008/09 financial year, with a rate of 0.53 serious assaults on prisoner per 100 prisoners. This is an increase on the 30 serious assaults recorded for the 2007/08 financial year. The Department treats all assaults seriously and is committed to ensuring the safety of staff and other prisoners. The increase in serious assaults reflects the challenges that our staff face in managing an increasing number of violent and unpredictable prisoners.

Despite a number of significant challenges the Department has faced over the past year, I know that the vast majority of staff have continued to work hard and remained focused on delivering our core business in a way that contributes to improving public safety. I am confident the changes arising out of the Value for Money review will ensure the Department can continue to contribute to improving public safety, in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Barry Matthews
Chief Executive