08 November 2022
C159346
C Lane
[FYI request #20816 email] Tēnā koe,
Thank you for your email of 10 October 2022 to the Department of Corrections – Ara
Poutama Aotearoa, requesting information about traumatic brain injuries. Your request has
been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
You requested:
I would like to request the following information in regards to inmates with
diagnosed (unrecovered) Brain Injuries (TBI) with a low-med security classification;
that HAS and HASN’T reached their parole eligibility date; that have ACC brain injury
cover, including ACC concussion services cover;
All support available to inmates with-in Corrections Facilities and also Serco Facilities.
- What Psychological services are available for such diagnosed inmates?
- How dose one access such support?
- How dose one access such support if their case manager is unresponsive? What
procedures do they take around case management if unengaged?
- How dose such inmate request a more suitable case manager?
- What procedures are taken to keep prisoners with unrecovered brain injuries safe
from further damage?
- What procedures are taken to reduce risk of assaults by other inmates, which can
cause further damage?
- What procedures are taken to allow diagnosed inmates to receive a beneficial diet
that supports recovery (which is not available on canteen ordering) (recovery diet
supported by Brain Injury Recovery Specialists)?
- What available residential facility is available for diagnosed inmates to reduce an
overwhelming environment such as overcrowded units with 40+ other inmates?
(Studies show overcrowding/busyness/overwhelming environments slow down brain
development and recovery)
- What available support is there for diagnosed inmates to support independent
routine, to help the brain recover from injury? (Studies show overwhelming
environments and no personally created routine or a routine with independent
flexibility slows down the recovery pathway for brain injury).
- What available residential facility is available for diagnosed inmates to support
continuous unpredictable fatigue? With-in a safe uninterrupted space? (Studies show
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
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unrecovered brain injury consist of constant fatigue/confusion/overwhelm and that
with out such safe space in prison there is risk for further damage or recovery delay).
- Would internal resistance (self-care) with-in prison be more suited and provide a
safer space to reside for such diagnosed inmates?
- If so what procedure would one take to request relocation to that safer internal
residence?
- What available brain injury rehabilitative facilities with-in the community are
available to inmates described above, not yet eligible for parole, that The
Department Of Corrections and Serco can relocate inmates to for treatment?
- I would like to request a list of such facilities, including contact details and criteria
requirements.
- Would Goodwood Rehabilitative Centre be an option?
- What procedure would one take to request relocation to such community facility to
support their recovery treatment?
- I would like also a list of all relevant medical support personal’s contact details to
accommodate such inmates needs with-in North Island Correction/Serco facilities.
- Is there support or staff that can be contacted for urgent support for such
diagnosed inmates, when there are concerns of risk to further brain damage in the
residing environment?
- If so could I please have those contact details.
Corrections needs to extend the timeframe of our response to your request by 25 working
days, pursuant to section 15A(1)(b) of the OIA, as consultations necessary to make a
decision on the request are such that a proper response to the request cannot reasonably
be made within the original time limit. Therefore, you can expect to receive a response to
your request by 13 December 2022. If you no longer require this information please let us
know as soon as possible.
Please be advised that should you have any concerns regarding this response you have the
right to ask the Ombudsman to investigate our decision to extend the timeframe. Contact
details are: Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Ngā mihi
Matt Huddleston
Manager Ministerial Services
People and Capability
