Corrections has released a consultation document proposing potential options to improve safety in prisons through regulatory changes.

There are six areas of proposed change. Each area proposes possible amendments to the Corrections Regulations 2005. The proposed changes would:

  • introduce additional or new cell features to support the safety of corrections officers when opening and closing cell doors in prisons
  • provide greater transparency and clarity on Corrections’ use of cameras to monitor and record prisoner activities
  • improve prison safety by increasing and clarifying Corrections’ powers to manage funds held for prisoners in prison trust accounts
  • increase the use of security classifications for remand prisoners to determine safe management, where practicable, to ensure remand prisoners are managed no more restrictively than necessary, and to efficiently use prison resources
  • update provisions relating to prisoner haircuts and the growing and removal of facial hair to remove redundant requirements and lower the risk of these requirements impacting prison tensions, and
  • ensure that the clothing and footwear worn by remand accused prisoners prioritises prison safety.

We are inviting feedback from the public on the problems we aim to address, the outcomes we seek, and possible options for achieving these outcomes.

Written submissions can be emailed to LegislationAmendments@corrections.govt.nz or posted to the Legislative Policy Team, Department of Corrections, 44-52 The Terrace, Wellington before 30 September 2024. You can also use our easy submission form and return this to us via email.

Feedback received during public consultation will be considered as we develop policy options that will be provided to the Minister of Corrections and Cabinet for final decisions. Relevant documents will be published on our website following this process.

If you wish to discuss the consultation document with us, please email us with your availability.

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