07 October 2022
C157575
Mohammed Khan
[FYI request #20496 email] Tēnā koe Mohammed
Thank you for your email of 9 September 2022 to the Department of Corrections – Ara
Poutama Aotearoa, requesting information about people being released from prison and
emergency accommodation. Your request has been considered under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA).
Around 15,000 people are released from prison every year and finding suitable
accommodation for people who are lawfully required to be released from prison is one of
our most significant challenges. The vast majority of people return home to family or make
their own arrangements about where to live. Most people released from prison can choose
where to live or have provided the NZPB with a release plan (including a proposed address)
for consideration, prior to leaving prison.
Some people require assistance with finding a place to live. We contract almost 1,000
supported and emergency accommodation places each year for people, delivered by
contracted providers across New Zealand such as PARS, the Salvation Army and other social
service agencies.
Emergency accommodation can be used by people on a range of conditions, including Home
Detention, Parole, Community Detention and Release on Conditions. It is provided to people
who have an immediate accommodation need and where all other accommodation options
have been exhausted. The alternative is that these people would otherwise be homeless,
which would present an unacceptable safety risk to communities.
You requested:
According to this article in the Rotorua Daily Post, if a prisoner would be released but
cannot establish their own arrangements as to where they reside, and if they reject
being sent to emergency housing, say, in Rotorua, Corrections could apply to vary
their sentence.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/rotorua-emergency-housing-
motels-ben-sandford-claims-recently-released-prisoners-sent-to-citys-
motels/BD5KUP3LMSH5AT4MZAEDU36RLE/
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
1) I assume that means that you would hold them in prison for a longer period if they
refused to be sent to somewhere where emergency housing is systematically
available, for example, in Rotorua?
Corrections delivers an essential public service in prisons and communities, and we are
committed to continuing our work to keep New Zealanders safe. Corrections does not
decide who is in prison, when they will be released or who is on a community-based
sentence or order. These decisions are made by the New Zealand Parole Board (NZPB) or a
Judge in court. Corrections Chief Executive does not hold the powers to grant early releases
or to hold people in prison beyond their statutory release date.
Further information about release from prison is available on Corrections’ website
here.
2) If the assumption in (1) is correct, how many persons who would otherwise be
released made that decision each year for the past five years?
3) If the assumption in (1) is correct, how much longer are such persons held? A
defined period? Until the end of their sentence? Until it is possible for them to either
make other arrangements or access emergency housing in their actual community?
As outlined above, the assumption is incorrect, Corrections Chief Executive does not hold
the powers to grant early releases or to hold people in prison beyond their statutory release
date. Therefore, the remaining part of your request is refused under section 18(e) of the OIA
as the information requested does not exist.
As per section 18B we have considered whether consulting with you would enable the
request to be made in a form that would remove the reason for refusal. However, we do not
consider that the request can be refined in this instance as your request is specific, but the
information does not exist.
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
Matt Huddleston
Manager Ministerial Services (acting)
People and Capability
