Statement of Forecast Service Performance - Output Class 1: Information Services

This output class covers the provision of information as requested by the courts and the New Zealand Parole Board to inform their respective decision-making processes. It includes the provision of psychological reports, remand pre-sentence reports (level 2 assessment reports), reparation reports, same-day reports (level 1 assessment reports), home detention reports and assessments, oral information reports, home leave and pre-release reports for prisoners, and information for extended supervision orders. Special purpose reports and advice are prepared for other relevant entities. Also included is the time Probation Offi cers spend attending court hearings.

Expenses for Output Class 1 Information Services

For the Year Ending 30 June 2007

Outputs in this output class will be provided within the appropriated sum of $30.996 million (exclusive of GST).

Year

Cost
($000)

Total
Revenue
($000)

Revenue
Crown
($000)

Revenue
Other
($000)

2006/07 SOI

30,996

30,996

30,996

-

2005/06 Supp Estimates

30,299

30,299

30,299

-

2005/06 SOI

28,837

28,837

28,837

-



OUTPUT 1.1 Sentencing Information and Advice to Courts

This output entails the preparation of reports (relating to remand pre-sentence (level 2), reparation including emotional harm, same-day (level 1), special purpose and oral information reports) that provide the sentencing judge with information on offenders, to assist with the sentencing process. Also included is the time a Probation Officer spends attending court. This service includes attendance at court, prosecutions, and attendance at sentencing resulting from Community Probation Service initiated proceedings.

 

Actual

Performance Standard

Performance Measure

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

Quantity

The number of reports to courts:

29,115

30,000

31,000

The number of hours for attendance at courts:  

63,809

60,000

61,000

Quality

The percentage of reports provided to the following standards contained in the relevant service descriptions and Probation and Offender Services Manual to be no less than:

92%

95%

95%

• written reports in a specified format

 

 

 

• verification process specified/rationale for no verification

 

 

 

• concise, logical and grammatically correct

 

 

 

• clear statement of recommendations consistent with the law.

 

 

 

The number of written complaints from judges to be no more than:

6

15

15

Timeliness

The percentage of reports to courts provided to a timetable set through service level agreements to be no less than:

95%

98%

98%



OUTPUT 1.2 Parole Information and Advice to the New Zealand Parole Board

This output entails the preparation of pre-release reports that provide information to the New Zealand Parole Board about a prisoner's proposed residence and work, and the potential programmes that the prisoner should undertake on release from prison. Included is the time spent investigating release options and reporting on those and appropriate conditions.

 

Actual

Performance Standard

Performance Measure

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

Quantity

The number of New Zealand Parole Board pre-release reports prepared for prisoners: 

4,217

4,600

4,600

Quality

The percentage of New Zealand Parole Board pre-release reports provided to the following standards contained in the relevant service descriptions, Public Prisons Service Policy and Procedures Manual and Public Prisons Service Sentence Management Manual to be no less than:

100%

100%

100%

• the reports are clear and concise, identifying major points to enable the Board to make a decision on the prisoner's release

 

 

 

• the reports must identify whether statements are fact or opinion; findings are to be derived from the body of the report; recommendations are to address issues, be capable of being implemented and demonstrate that they will achieve the results required

 

 

 

• each prisoner is involved in the development of his or her report.

 

 

 

Timeliness

The percentage of New Zealand Parole Board pre-release reports provided within the deadlines set by the Board to be no less than:

94%

100%

100%



OUTPUT 1.3 Home Leave Reports

This output entails the provision of home leave reports, including investigating the suitability of the sponsor and residence. The Public Prisons Service has the delegated authority to consider and approve home leave proposals. Likely community reaction to the planned home leave and the suitability of the proposed accommodation by a prisoner is also assessed.

 

Actual

Performance Standard

Performance Measure

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

Quantity

The number of home leave reports:

672

900

900

Quality

The percentage of home leave reports provided to the following standards contained in the relevant service description and Probation and Offender Services Manual to be no less than:

95%

98%

98%

• reports completed and all questions addressed

 

 

 

• concise, logical and grammatically correct.

 

 

 

Timeliness

The percentage of home leave reports provided within two weeks of request to be no less than:

99%

98%

98%



OUTPUT 1.4 Home Detention Assessments to the New Zealand Parole Board

This output entails the preparation of reports and assessments to the New Zealand Parole Board. The reports are to meet the application criteria including an assessment of the rehabilitative needs of offenders and their suitability to serve their sentence under home detention.

 

Actual

Performance Standard

Performance Measure

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

Quantity

The number of home detention specialist reports:

3,438

3,900

4,000

Quality

The percentage of home detention specialist reports provided to the following standards contained in the relevant service description and Probation and Offender Services Manual to be no less than: 

95%

98%

98%

• written reports in a specified format

 

 

 

• verification process specified/rationale for no verification

 

 

 

• concise, logical and grammatically correct

 

 

 

• statement of recommendations consistent with the law.

 

 

 

Timeliness

The percentage of home detention specialist reports provided within the deadlines agreed with the New Zealand Parole Board to be no less than: 

88%

98%

98%



OUTPUT 1.5 Psychological Service Information and Advice to Courts and the New Zealand Parole Board

This output entails the preparation of reports that provide the sentencing judge with information on offenders and also entails the assessment, analysis and reporting on offenders who are to appear before the New Zealand Parole Board.

 

Actual

Performance Standard

Performance Measure

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

Quantity

The number of New Zealand Parole Board reports:

987

900

900

The number of reports to courts:

154

100

100

Quality

The percentage of New Zealand Parole Board reports provided to the standards contained in service descriptions and the Psychological Service Manual to be no less than:

100%

100%

100%

The percentage of reports to courts provided to the following standards contained in the service descriptions and Psychological Service Manual to be no less than:

100%

100%

100%

• written reports in a specified format

 

 

 

• concise, logical and grammatically correct

 

 

 

• source and reason for referral are clearly stated

 

 

 

• all relevant and appropriate information included

 

 

 

• sources of information well documented and verified

 

 

 

• clear statement of recommendations for further investigation

 

 

 

• complies with the Code of Ethics of the New Zealand Psychological Society 1986.

 

 

 

Timeliness

The percentage of New Zealand Parole Board reports provided within deadlines agreed with the Board to be no less than:

100%

100%

100%

The percentage of reports to courts provided to a timetable set through service level agreements to be no less than:

100%

100%

100%



OUTPUT 1.6 Information Services for Extended Supervision Orders

This output entails the provision of information for courts and the New Zealand Parole Board in respect of extended supervision orders. The output includes Psychological Service health assessments of offenders for whom an order may be sought, applications to courts for the orders, and applications to the New Zealand Parole Board to set conditions for the orders.

 

Actual

Performance Standard

Performance Measure

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

Quantity

The number of health assessments completed on offenders for whom an extended supervision order is considered:

93

56

56

The number of extended supervision applications to courts:

64

56

56

The number of applications to the New Zealand Parole Board for special conditions (for offenders who are subject to an extended supervision order):

21

56

56

Quality

The percentage of health assessments provided to the following standards to be no less than:

100%

100%

100%

• written assessments in a specified format

 

 

 

• verification process specified

 

 

 

• required information provided where available

 

 

 

• clear statement of recommendations consistent with the law.

 

 

 

The percentage of applications to courts provided to the following standards to be no less than:

100%

100%

100%

• written assessments in a specified format

 

 

 

• verification process specified

 

 

 

• required information provided where available

 

 

 

• clear statement of recommendations consistent with the law.

 

 

 

The percentage of reports to the New Zealand Parole Board provided to the following standards to be no less than:

100%

100%

100%

• written assessments in a specified format

 

 

 

• verification process specified

 

 

 

• required information provided where available

 

 

 

• clear statement of recommendations consistent with the law.

 

 

 

Timeliness

The percentage of health assessments provided within deadlines to be no less than:

new measure

new measure

100%

The percentage of applications to courts made in accordance with departmental timeframes to be no less than:

100%

100%

100%

The percentage of applications to the New Zealand Parole Board provided within deadlines agreed with the Board to be no less than:

62%

100%

100%