13 November 2023
C173090
Erika Whittome
[FYI request #24085 email]
Tēnā koe Erika
Thank you for your email of 10 September 023 to the Department of Corrections – Ara
Poutama Aotearoa, requesting information about Corrections’ COVID-19 response. Your
request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
You requested:
1 Given the shortages of prison workers and many prisoners have been denied visits
due to this shortage have you hired these 80 staff back?
Eleven people were rehired. Please note that as Corrections holds no clear database on who
was fired and rehired, this figure is the best to our knowledge.
2. What budget was allocated for Covid 19 health and safety activities at Corrections
for the 2021/2022 financial year? For example Covid advisors, specialist roles ,
marketing etc
The operating budget al ocated to our COVID response in 2021/22 was $12.3m. This budget
was used for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies, cleaning services, prisoner
activity books, medical supplies and travel for some staff. Corrections did not employ any
specialist staff beyond those health staff and health and safety staff already employed by
Corrections prior to the pandemic. This budget was an internal reprioritisation from
Corrections existing funding.
3 What designation did Corrections receive under section 191 of the Health and
Safety at Work Act 2015 in order to act as a regulator for health and safety matters?
Corrections is not a regulator for health and safety matters and have not received any such
designation. Corrections is a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) under the
Health and Safety Act 2015 and as with the vast majority of organisations in New Zealand,
Work Safe is our regulator.
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
Please note that this response may be published on Corrections’ website. Typical y,
responses are published quarterly, or as otherwise determined. Your personal information
including name and contact details wil 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, Wel ington 6143.
Ngā mihi
Nic Barkley
Manager Ministerial Services
People and Capability
