16 November 2023
c174485
Colin Whiting
[FYI request #24455 email]
Tēnā koe Colin
Thank you for your request of 16 October 2023 to the Department of Corrections – Ara
Poutama Aotearoa, requesting information about clause 9 exemptions from the COVID-19
Public Health Response (Vaccination) Order 2021. Your request has been considered under
the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
As an organisation, our top priority is safety – of the public, our staff, visitors to our sites
and the people we are managing in prisons and the community. Corrections had a number
of controls in place to minimise risks relating to the transmission of COVID-19, including
health screening for every person who enters a prison. The secure and control ed nature of
the prison environment means we were able to quickly isolate prisoners as required and
restrict their movements.
People in prison are some of the most susceptible to COVID-19, due to many being
vulnerable due to existing health conditions, and the ease of transmission that COVID-19
could have had in the prison environment. International y, we have seen the devastating
impact of COVID-19 in prison environments, with many prison staff and prisoners becoming
seriously unwell, and a number of deaths occurring.
Since March 2020 we put in place extensive plans to manage any risk to our staff or the
people we manage, and we have continued to refine these plans in order to do everything
we can to keep our staff and the people we manage safe from COVID-19. This includes
robust infection prevention and control plans, with detailed record keeping for both staff
and visitors to our sites to enable fast and thorough contact tracing – including the use of
proximity detection technology to assist with contact tracing.
This infection and control measures that were implemented included mandatory
vaccination requirements for staff and visitors, as well as the use of thermal cameras to
screen for high temperatures, health screening on entry, contact tracing, separating new
arrivals for their first 14 days, and the use of personal protective equipment.
NATIONAL OFFICE, WELLINGTON
Mayfair House, 44 – 52 The Terrace, Wellington, 6011, Private Box 1206, Wellington 6140,
Phone +64 4 460 3000
www.corrections.govt.nz
2
You requested:
1 : How many exemptions were given by the 'Department of Corrections' to
Corrections staff, under clause 9 of the COVID-19 Public Health Response
(Vaccinations) Order 2021 (version as of 25 Oct 2021) ? As quoted below.
Under clause 9, the Chief Executive authorised 220 Corrections staff to return to work
following their recovery from COVID-19. It is important to note that public health
guidance discourages vaccination for six months following an infection of COVID-19. More
information can be found on the Ministry of Health website at
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-
coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/recommended-timing-gaps-different-covid-19-
vaccines/getting-covid-19-vaccine-if-youve-had-covid-19
2: Also how many exemptions were given by the Department of Corrections to staff
working in Prisons for private contractors, under clause 9 of the COVID-19 Public
Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021 (version as of 25 Oct 2021) ? As quoted
below.
No exemptions were given by Corrections to private contractors under clause 9 of the
COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order 2021.
I trust the information provided is of assistance. I encourage you to raise any concerns
about this response 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, Wel ington 6143.
Ngā mihi
Leigh Marsh
National Commissioner
