04 July 2024
C182176
Caleb
[FYI request #26872 email] Tēnā koe Caleb
Thank you for your email of 19 May 2024
date to the Department of Corrections – Ara
Poutama Aotearoa, requesting information about employee internet usage. Your request
has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
Corrections employs approximately 10,000 staff in prisons and the community. Corrections
expects the utmost professionalism from our employees and all staff are expected to meet
the expectations set out in our Code of Conduct, which is available to view
here. The
overwhelming majority of our people act with integrity and professionalism in what is often
a high pressure and challenging environment.
You requested:
I am writing to request information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA)
regarding the internet usage of Corrections employees. Specifically, I would like
details related to the following websites and platforms:
1.YouTube
2. Facebook
3.Instagram
4. TikTok
5. Netflix
6. Sky Sport
Please provide the following information for the past month:
The number of times each of the above websites/platforms has been accessed by
Corrections employees.
The total amount of hours spent on each of these websites/platforms by Corrections
employees.
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
Any other relevant information that may help investigate inappropriate use of
officers’ time on the internet.
Additionally, I would appreciate any insights into the measures taken by Corrections
to monitor and manage internet usage by its employees.
As well as adhering to the Code of Conduct, staff must also adhere to our Information
Technology and Services Acceptable Use Policy. This policy includes codes of behaviour and
best practice notes relating to IT equipment. It also sets out the compliance management
tools and processes which are used to help ensure compliance with the policy and related
procedures, minimise the risk of breaches and identify trends and risks so that they can be
managed appropriately. In addition, our Social Media Policy provides guidance for, and sets
out the obligations of, Corrections employees using social media both as a representative of
the organisation and in a personal capacity.
Copies of Corrections’ Information Technology and Services Acceptable Use Policy and Social
Media Policy are attached.
Corrections digital systems do not record discrete or unique instances of user access to
websites, and therefore, this part of your request is refused under section 18(g) of the OIA
as the information requested is not held by Corrections and we have no grounds for
believing it is held by another department or connected more closely with the functions of
another department.
However, Corrections does collect the browse time for websites through our internet proxy
services, and the table below provides the total browse time broken down by website for
the month of April 2024.
Please note, Corrections has various social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram
and YouTube which our staff are responsible for maintaining. This includes sharing
information with members of the public, responding to queries from victims, family
members of people in our management, and the public. In addition, our intelligence staff
access these platforms to prevent and detect criminal activity in prisons. We also note that a
number of Corrections’ internal videos are held on YouTube and accessed by staff for
informational, educational, training and other reasons. Staff are allowed to use devices on a
limited basis for personal use outside of work when travelling and at home.
Total Browse
Website
Time (hours)
YouTube
5,342.65
Facebook
14,852.67
Instagram
16,681.25
TikTok
513.37
Netflix
2,312.85
Sky Sports
58.73
Notes for table:
• Data is provided for Corrections-issued computers only as these access the internet
through the proxy services.
• This includes all internet traffic, regardless of where the device is used.
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 hope this information is helpful. I encourage you to raise any concerns about this response
with Corrections. Alternatively, you are advised of your right to raise any concerns with the
Office of the Ombudsman. Contact details are: Office of the Ombudsman, PO Box 10152,
Wellington 6143.
Ngā mihi
Alastair Turrell
Deputy Chief Executive
Infrastructure and Digital Assets
