NCJ Number
121761
Date Published
1989
Length
8 pages
Annotation
An expanded role for New Zealand prison management is recommended, including the establishment of a Department of Corrections comprised of prison, probation, and psychological service components.
Abstract
Under the proposed organization, a corrections commission is envisioned that would be responsible for formulating and reviewing Department of Corrections policies. Three department branches are proposed: prisons, habilitation, and community containment. The habilitation branch would be responsible for funding and evaluating community-based habilitation centers, the prisons branch would have responsibility for prisons, and the community containment branch would advise on the security of inmates in habilitation centers and be responsible for offenders in home detention and electronic surveillance programs. At the local level, the prison management structure would reflect the humane containment mission of prisons. Inmate management teams would make decisions about inmate activities in prisons. Following the establishment of habilitation centers, prisons would house only those who choose to simply serve their time or who are not eligible for habilitation centers. Prison inspections would be accomplished by internal check systems, regional managers, and independent review and audit. A committee would be established to insure effective communication between prison administrators at the national level and local prison staff. 2 figures.