19 August 2022
C154814
Connor Johnson
fyi‐request‐19929‐[email address]
Tēnā koe Connor
Thank you for your email of 15 July 2022 to the Department of Corrections – Ara Poutama
Aotearoa, requesting information about policies regarding use of control and restraint
devices. Your request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
Safety and wellbeing are Corrections’ top priorities. Our staff are trained to work with some
of New Zealand’s most dangerous and volatile people in a complex and challenging
environment, where assaults by people in prison are often spontaneous and come without
any warning. Over 80 per cent of the prison population have convictions for violence in their
offending histories, and more than 91 per cent meet the criteria for a lifetime diagnosis of a
mental health or substance abuse disorder.
You requested:
1) ALL internal Guidelines or policies regarding to the use of Control and restraint devices
such as but not limited to: Handcuffs, Pepper spray.
Please find the guidelines and policies relating to handcuffs, pepper spray and spit hoods attached
as:
Appendix One – Tactical Operations Manual of Guidance (pages 33 to 55)
Appendix Two – Facilitators Guide – Tactical Training Instructors Guide
Section M.04 of the Prison Operations Manual (POM) outlines the use of restraints for
escorts/transfers and is publicly available here on our website at:
https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/policy_and_legislation/Prison‐Operations‐
Manual/Movement/M.04‐External‐movement‐transportation‐of‐prisoners/M.04.02‐Use‐of‐
restraints‐for‐escorts‐transfers.
Mechanical Restraints and Pepper Spray policy from the Custodial Practice Manual is already publicly
available here on our website at:
https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/policy_and_legislation/custodial‐practice‐manual‐cpm.
Further information about pepper spray can be found here on our website at:
https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/information_brochures/pepper_spray.
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
Some information has been withheld as it is not considered within scope of your request. This
includes administrative material.
2) All Guidelines or Internal policies regarding Prisoners that have attempted/threatend or
successfully committed suicide and self harm.
Please find the above guidelines and policies attached as:
Appendix Three – Incident response guidelines
The relevant section of POM (Section M.05) is publicly available here on our website at:
https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/policy_and_legislation/Prison‐Operations‐
Manual/Movement/M.01‐Movements‐internal,‐directed‐and‐specified
You can find out more about deaths in custody, and how Corrections prevents suicide and
self‐harm at the below links on our website at:
https://www.corrections.govt.nz/our_work/prison_sentences/managing_offenders/deaths_in_cust
ody and https://www.corrections.govt.nz/our_work/prison_sentences/managing_offenders/
preventing_suicide_and_self_harm
Corrections has statutory obligations under section 9(2)(a) of the OIA to protect the privacy
of natural persons, including deceased natural persons. Therefore, some information has
been withheld accordingly.
In accordance with section 9(1) of the OIA, we have also considered whether there are
countervailing public interest considerations favouring the release of the requested
information, such as transparency. We do not believe such considerations are present in this
case.
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.
I trust the information provided is of assistance. I encourage you to raise any concerns
about this response 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
Ben Clark
National Commissioner
