13 September 2021
C140114
Moka Harris
[FYI request #16415 email]
Tēnā koe Moka
Thank you for your email of 16 August 2021, requesting further information about the
Freeview channels and faith-based services offered in prisons. This relates to your
previous correspondence with Corrections (our ref. C131237) from January 2021.
Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
Please note that some of your questions have been reworded for ease of response.
You requested:
“…
you say that faith services are available in prison. This is not the case. If
there is no volunteers there are no services. And if there is no staff from
movement there is no service. Many people don’t get to attend these so called
provided services.”
As previously advised in our response of 1 April 2021, Corrections is committed to
providing support for religious and spiritual needs to those in custody that want it.
Corrections contracts Prison Chaplaincy Service of Aotearoa (PCSANZ) to provide
these services across all of Corrections-managed prison sites. This can be in a
number of different formats including structured religious group services, individual
support, and connecting people in prison with community-based faith organisations
upon release. However, an individual’s participation in group religious services may
be limited based on availability and their unique security needs. Additionally,
religious services depend on the overall safety and security of the prison and may
not always take place as scheduled. Alternative religious support would continue to
be offered in such cases.
For more information about what PCSANZ does, you can visit their website here:
https://pcsanz.org/ If there is a specific instance where you believe someone is not having their religious
or spiritual needs met, we would advise you to have them speak with unit staff in the
first instance. Unit staff can get them in touch with the Prison Chaplain or a volunteer
to offer support.
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
“In regards to N.R.C.F., my understanding is that inmates in mainstream,
sentenced units do not receive the standard Freeview Christian Channels
such as, Hope Channel, FirstLight and Shine... In fact Auckland South
Corrections Facility and Mount Eden Corrections Facility have some of the
mentioned channels… why is it that only these two prisons have available
faith channels?”
As previously advised, there are 12 channels available across prisons, which consist
of nine Freeview television channels, one Corrections television channel and two
Freeview radio channels. The number of television channels available in prisons is
limited by supporting infrastructure. All prison units are connected to the prison site’s
distributed television network and available television channels do not vary between
any Corrections-managed prisons. We have confirmed that the channels that people
at Mt Eden Corrections Facility receive in their cells do not differ from any other
Corrections-managed prison.
However, Auckland South Corrections Facility is managed through a Public Private
Partnership with SecureFuture, who have subcontracted Serco to operate the prison.
As such, some operational elements differ from Corrections-run prisons, which can
include access to varying television channels.
“How can we make these channels that are available at A.S.C.F and M.E.C.F
available to the rest of New Zealand prison facilities in order to support
CORRECTIONS ACT 2004 SECTION 79(1)?”
Prisoner TV channels are recommended by the Chief Custodial Officer based on
appropriate content and what is best received by people in prison. These
recommendations then must be approved by the National Commissioner. Due to the
limited infrastructure, new channels cannot be added, only swapped for other ones,
after they’ve gone through the recommendation and approval process.
Corrections Act 2004, section 79(1) states that the Chief Executive must ensure that
in every prison, so far as is reasonable and practicable, appropriate provision is
made for the various religious and spiritual needs of the people in prison. This
includes ensuring people have access to religious texts, religious items such as a
crucifix or prayer beads, and access to spiritual advisers and mentors. As mentioned
above, there are many ways Corrections provides opportunities for religious and
spiritual support in line with the Corrections Act 2004.
Please note that this response may be published on Corrections’ website. Typically,
responses are published quarterly, or as otherwise determined. Your personal
information including name and contact details will be removed for publication.
3
I trust the information provided is of assistance. Should you have any concerns with
this response, I would encourage you to raise them 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,
Wellington 6143.
Ngā mihi
Brydie Raethel
Principal Adviser Ministerial Services
People and Capability
