26 July 2024
C182175
Caleb
[FYI request #26871 email]
Tēnā koe Caleb
Thank you for your email of 19 May 2024
to the Department of Corrections – Ara Poutama
Aotearoa, requesting information about guided release. Your request has been considered
under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
Corrections previously extended the timeframe of our response in accordance with section
15A(1)(b) of the OIA. I acknowledge the delay in responding to your request. I understand
that preparing a response required consultation with each prison, which took some time.
People serving prison sentences of more than two years may require dedicated support to
carefully manage their transition back into the community. This can involve pre-release
planning with case managers, probation officers and other external partners. It can include
placement in internal or external self-care units to provide people with an intermediate step
between prison and life in the community. People serving a long prison sentence who are
nearing their release date can also apply to leave prison for short periods for guided release
reintegration activities.
Through our guided release programme, we support people in prison to access reintegration
activities that help their safe transition into the community. These activities include
participating in pre-release meetings with probation officers, organising bank accounts,
registering with a local doctor, visiting potential accommodation providers, and meeting
with future employers. Every person is strictly vetted prior to undertaking guided release
activities and equipped with an electronic monitoring anklet.
Guided Release relates to Corrections’ Temporary Removals and Temporary Release
procedures, outlined in the Prison Operations Manual. These procedures are publicly
available at the following links:
https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/policy_and_legislation/Prison-Operations-
Manual/Movement/M.04-External-movement-transportation-of-prisoners/M.04.05-
Temporary-removals
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
https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/policy_and_legislation/Prison-Operations-
Manual/Movement/M.04-External-movement-transportation-of-prisoners/M.04.06-
Temporary-release.
For ease of response, your questions have been reordered and some questions are
answered together. You requested:
1. The total number of guided releases conducted at each prison over the past 6
months.
4. The number of staff employed solely to conduct guided releases at each site.
The table below shows the number of people who participated in guided releases between
1 November 2023 and 30 April 2024.
Prison
Guided Releases
Northland Region Corrections Facility
3
Auckland Prison
-
Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility
29
Auckland South Corrections Facility
22
Spring Hill Corrections Facility
36
Waikeria Prison
56
Tongariro Prison
18
Whanganui Prison
47
Manawatu Prison
4
Rimutaka Prison
3
Christchurch Men’s Prison
1
Christchurch Women’s Prison
1
Rolleston Prison
43
Otago Corrections Facility
6
Invercargill Prison
26
Notes for table:
• These figures have been compiled fol owing consultation with each Corrections-
managed prison in June and July 2024.
• They are provided to the best of Corrections’ ability, however they do not exist in
any central database and we have relied on each prison keeping timely records in an
accurate and consistent manner.
• Guided Release at Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison is currently occurring through a
contracted provider for prisoners housed in self-care unit Te Whare Oranga Ake as
part of their reintegration and is therefore not captured in the information held by
Corrections.
• As Mt Eden Corrections Facility is a remand facility, it does not offer guided release.
It is not possible to provide ‘the number of staff employed solely to conduct guided releases
at each site’. While some larger prisons have staff whose primary focus is to conduct guided
releases, many prisons utilise different staff depending on their availability, with these tasks
being absorbed as part of their overall workload. For example, case managers, release to
work brokers and reintegration coordinators may assist with guided release.
Accordingly, question 4 is refused under section 18(g) of the OIA, is the information is not
held by Corrections and we have no grounds for believing that the information is either held
by or more closely connected with the functions of another agency.
2. If guided releases are not occurring, please provide an explanation for their
suspension at each site.
3. When are guided releases expected to resume at each site?
As at 1 July 2024, guided release is occurring at all Corrections-managed prisons except Mt
Eden Corrections Facility (MECF) and Arohata Prison. MECF is primarily a remand prison,
therefore, their population does not meet the criteria for guided release. Arohata Prison
have not had a demand for guided release due to a majority remand prison population,
however is preparing to restart guided releases and is currently recruiting for additional case
managers, to help facilitate this.
Please note that this response may be published on Corrections’ website. Typical y,
responses are published quarterly or as otherwise determined. Your personal information
including name and contact details will be removed for publication.
I hope this information is helpful. I encourage you to raise any concerns about this response
with Corrections. Alternatively, you are advised of your right to 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
Commissioner Custodial Services
