01 November 2021
C142374
Kirsten Gibson
[FYI request #16990 email] Tēnā koe Kirsten
I refer to your email of 1 October 2021, to the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet, requesting cabinet papers relating to the management of COVID-19 in New
Zealand prisons and the Department of Corrections’ COVID-19 response strategy.
As your request more closely relates to the functions of Corrections, it was
transferred to Corrections in accordance with section 14 of the Official Information
Act 1981. Your request has been considered under the OIA.
You requested:
Please provide me with all cabinet papers relating to the management of
COVID-19 in New Zealand prisons and the Department of Corrections’
COVID-19 response strategy.
Corrections has located one Cabinet paper that falls within scope of your request,
Issuing Epidemic Management Notices to ensure the Parole Board can
make decisions and community sentences can be administered
effectively. This Cabinet paper has been proactively released, and can be found on
the Government’s Unite against COVID-19 website at the following link:
https://covid19.govt.nz/assets/resources/proactive-release/Issuing-Epidemic-
Management-Notices-to-ensure-the-Parole-Board-can-make-decisions-and-
community-sentences-can-be-administered-effectively.pdf Some information has been redacted from the Cabinet paper under section 9(2)(g)(i)
of the OIA, to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and
frank expression of opinions by or between or to Ministers of the Crown or members
of an organisation or officers and employees of any public service agency or
organisation in the course of their duty.
The Government has publicly released a variety of documents relating to decisions
about its response to COVID-19. These can be found at the following link:
https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/proactive-releases/
Please note that this response may be published on Corrections’ website. Typically,
responses are published quarterly, or as otherwise determined. Your personal
information including name and contact details will be removed for publication.
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I trust the information provided is of assistance. Should you have any concerns with
this response, I would encourage you to raise them with Corrections. Alternatively,
you are advised of your right to also raise any concerns with the Office of the
Ombudsman. Contact details are: Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152,
Wellington 6143.
Ngā mihi
Robert Jones
Manager Ministerial Services
People and Capability
