INFORMATON FOR PRISONERS IN AUCKLAND
Releases across the Auckland Alert Level boundary
4 October 2021
Kia ora,
The Government has introduced new rules relating to how prisoners in Auckland are released into other
parts of the country. Due to the COVID-19 situation, it is important that we lower the risk of the virus
spreading from Auckland into other areas.
This information applies to prisoners at Auckland Prison, Mt Eden Corrections Facility, Auckland South
Corrections Facility, and Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility.
There are three things you need to know:
1. If you are being released to an address outside of Auckland, you will need to
have a COVID-19 test. If you refuse to take a test for COVID-19 before your
release, you will not be able to leave Auckland.
➢ Corrections’ health staff will arrange for you to have a COVID-19 test as part of your
release planning. The test must be taken within 72 hours before you are set to leave the
Auckland region.
➢ Once your test results come back, Corrections will make sure that you have a written
copy of your results and the papers that you’ll need to cross the Auckland boundary. We
will pass on your COVID-19 test results to your lawyer and/or the courts to help support
your release where necessary.
2. Corrections can transport you to your whānau / release address outside of
Auckland
➢ Corrections will work with your family where possible sort out the details of your release.
➢ Your family / whānau / aiga should not cross from outside Auckland into Auckland to
collect you. This is because they will need to make their own plans to be tested within 72
hours prior to crossing the boundary, receive a negative result, and obtain essential travel
documents. It is much easier for Corrections to transport you to your whānau or release
address.
➢ We are working with lawyers and the courts to make sure that everything will be ready in
time for you to cross the Auckland boundary when released. Your lawyer must contact
the Border Ready team before your release to make sure there is time to get everything
sorted.
3. You can be vaccinated before you leave prison
➢ If you haven’t had your COVID-19 vaccine yet, you can be vaccinated before you leave prison.
Please speak to your unit or health staff or fill out a health chit.
Being vaccinated is the best way to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19. The vaccine does not
contain any live virus. Clinical trials performed on the Pfizer vaccine show it’s approximately 95%
effective. All vaccines, including the Pfizer vaccine, made available for public use in New Zealand, are
assessed and approved by Medsafe.
Kia kaha!
Thank you for your understanding, and for everything that you are doing to keep everyone safe from
COVID-19. You are an important part of the “team of five million” in New Zealand – and your efforts will
help to keep our people, our prisons and our communities safe and healthy. Kia kaha!
If you have any questions, contact your Case Manager.
