Portfolio: Corrections

Setting targets for safer communities, less crime

Admin — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:14:00 +0000

Anne Tolley | Budget 2012

Budget 2012 supports better public services by contributing to targets that will reduce prisoner reoffending by 25 per cent by 2017 and result in 18,500 fewer victims of crime every year, Police and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says. Reprioritising Corrections funding and maintaining funding for Police supports the Government’s focus on preventing and reducing crime, and making communities safer. ...

Speech notes – Pre-Budget announcement for Corrections

Admin — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:32:00 +0000

Pita Sharples | Corrections

Taking responsibility for Reducing Reoffending ...

Budget 2012: Reducing reoffending, victims of crime

Admin — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:24:00 +0000

Anne Tolley | Budget 2012

Budget 2012 will contribute to a 25 per cent reduction in reoffending by 2017, and 18,500 fewer victims of crime every year from 2017, Corrections Minister Anne Tolley and Associate Corrections Minister Dr Pita Sharples say. The moves are part of the Prime Minister’s expectations for a more efficient and results-driven public service. A boost in alcohol and drug treatment, alongside increased education, skills training and employment programmes for prisoners, including remand prisoners, will lead to safer communities and better value for money for taxpayers. ...

Bill to improve public safety passes first reading

Admin — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:15:00 +0000

Anne Tolley | Corrections

A Bill aimed at improving public safety by strengthening the law around community sentences has passed its first reading in Parliament, says Corrections Minister Anne Tolley. “The Administration of Community Sentences and Orders Bill will close a number of loopholes in the current legislation,” says Mrs Tolley. “It will ensure that offenders on community-based sentences and home detention complete their full sentences,” says Mrs Tolley. ...

Increasing skills and education in prisons

Beehive — Wed, 02 May 2012 03:04:00 +0000

Anne Tolley | Corrections

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says there has been a 45 per cent rise in the number of NZQF credits gained by prisoners from trade training inside the wire. In the last financial year there were 108,000 credits achieved in total by an average 4,700 prisoners engaged in trades and employment training. “These figures are extremely encouraging,” says Mrs Tolley. “An increasing number of prisoners are gaining vital work skills, and we know that offenders who gain employment after release are less likely to reoffend. ...

Unnecessary parole hearings to be reduced

Beehive — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:50:00 +0000

Judith Collins | Corrections

Justice Minister Judith Collins and Acting Corrections Minister Chester Borrows today announced Government plans to reduce unnecessary parole hearings for offenders which will reduce stress for victims of crime. “Cabinet has agreed to introduce screening of offenders to postpone unnecessary parole hearings where an offender has little chance of release,” Ms Collins said. ...

Positive drugs tests in prisons at record low

Beehive — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 02:11:00 +0000

Anne Tolley | Corrections

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says the number of prisoners testing positive for drugs has reached a record low. Latest figures, for the eight months up to the end of February, show that only 4.3 per cent of prisoners returned a positive result after random tests for drugs. “These figures are fantastic, and show that our significant investment in addiction treatment and prison security is paying off,” says Mrs Tolley. “We have come a long way since testing first began in 1998, when over a third of prisoners tested positive for drugs. ...

Puppies in prison benefit the community

Beehive — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:09:00 +0000

Anne Tolley | Corrections

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says the Puppies in Prison programme, launched today at Spring Hill Corrections Facility, will reduce reoffending and lead to increased numbers of mobility dogs trained to help people living with disabilities. “The programme, undertaken in partnership with the Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust, will see a number of low-security prisoners provide full-time training for mobility dogs, which will go on to assist people living with disabilities,” says Mrs Tolley. ...

Next steps for new public-private prison at Wiri

Admin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:27:00 +0000

Bill English | Corrections

A new public-private partnership (PPP) prison at Wiri, South Auckland, will provide improved facilities, better services and a tighter focus on results, Finance Minister Bill English and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley say. The Government has chosen a consortium of companies, SecureFuture, to design, finance, build, operate and maintain the new 960-bed facility, which is needed to meet growing demand for prisoner accommodation in Auckland. ...

Bill to improve corrections system passes first reading

Beehive — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:53:00 +0000

Anne Tolley | Corrections

A Bill that will improve prison safety and security and reduce prisoners’ access to contraband has passed its first reading in Parliament, says Corrections Minister Anne Tolley. “The Corrections Amendment Bill removes red tape, allows our prisons to operate more effectively and makes improvements to drug testing and searching procedures,” says Mrs Tolley. The Bill will also introduce a single procedure for the strip searching of prisoners and provides greater clarity as to when strip searching must be undertaken. ...

Mo te mahinga kaimoana i tetahi moana rahui

Beehive — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:43:00 +0000

Pita Sharples | Corrections

Associate Corrections Minister Dr Pita Sharples says a recent incident involving prisoners diving for food in a marine reserve is most unfortunate. "As I understand it, this reintegration programme teaches prisoners a way to help support themselves and their families, and how to sustain the natural environment,” said Dr Sharples. “These are valuable social and cultural skills which prisoners can contribute to their community after they are released. ...