07 July 2025

  C196340

Dan Tasman
[FYI request #30769 email]

Tēnā koe Dan

Thank you for your email of 18 April 2025 to the Department of Corrections – Ara Poutama
Aotearoa, requesting information about Corrections’ response to methamphetamine-
related harm in Northland. Your request has been considered under the Official Information
Act 1982 (OIA).

Research has shown that people in prison have higher rates of complex personality traits,
and mental health and substance use disorders than the general population. It is estimated
that 62 percent of those in prison have met the diagnostic criteria for either a mental health
or substance use disorder within the last 12 months, and 91 percent wil  meet these
diagnostic criteria at some time over the course of their lives. Our research also suggests
that these psychological disorders can go undetected and untreated prior to prison.

When a person enters prison, they undergo an induction process by custodial and health
services. This includes a reception health screening undertaken by health staff, which
assesses each person’s physical and mental health needs, including whether they may be at
risk of self-harm or suicide and whether they require a referral to a prison doctor or other
services to address immediate general and/or mental health and addiction needs.

We work with people in prison to plan a rehabilitation pathway appropriate to their
offending and sentence, which provides them with the opportunity to complete the
right rehabilitation at the right time. People often access multiple types of rehabilitation and
reintegration support over the course of their sentence, which includes addiction
programmes. Support for people in prison also includes health services, mental
health programmes, cultural support services, educational opportunities,
vocational and employment training, motivational sessions, offence-focused programmes,
wrap-around whānau support, reintegration services, intensive (unit-based) residential
programmes, and transitional accommodation.

Corrections also offers addictions support to people on community sentences or orders
including those transitioning from prison which can be a stressful time and there is a
heightened risk of relapse and or offending. This support includes assessment and
intervention, counselling, harm minimisation education, residential treatment and
continuing care. Rehabilitation in prison, along with ongoing support in the community, can
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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help reduce reoffending which al ows people more opportunities to seek employment, help
with whānau, and contribute to the community in a positive way.

Further information relating to the rehabilitation of people with substance use disorders can
be found on Corrections’ Annual Report on pages 93 and 94 at
www.corrections.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/60162/Annual_Report_2023-
2024.pdf

I wil  address your requests in turn. You requested:

copies of any internal reports, briefings, or strategy documents produced since 1
January 2022 that discuss methamphetamine use, dependency, or related harm
among people in custody or on community sentences in the Northland region.

We have attempted to locate documents that reference methamphetamine use,
dependency or harm in Northland. However, despite extensive consultation, we have been
unable to locate the requested information and have determined that the document
requested does not exist. Therefore, this part of your request is refused under section 18(e)
of the OIA, as the document al eged to contain the information requested does not exist or
cannot be found.

As per section 18B of the OIA, we have considered whether consulting with you would
enable the request to be made in a form that would remove the reason for the refusal.
However, we do not consider that the request can be refined in this instance as your
request is clearly defined and no documents exist.

In addition, I would like a breakdown of the number of individuals identified as
having methamphetamine-related substance use issues while under Corrections’ care
(including both custodial and community-based settings), reported by year from 2022
to the present.

Unfortunately, Corrections does not central y record individuals identified as having
methamphetamine-related use issues and we cannot readily extract held in any readily
retrievable format. To identify this type of specific information, we would be required to
manually review a large number of individual files and to consult extensively across the
organisation.

In accordance with the OIA, we have considered whether to affix a charge or extend the
time limit for responding. However, given the scale of the request we do not consider that
this would be an appropriate use of our publicly funded resources. Therefore, this part of
your request is refused under section 18(f) of the OIA, as the information cannot be made
available without substantial collation or research.

As per section 18B of the OIA, we have considered whether consulting with you would
enable the request to be made in a form that would remove the reason for the refusal.
However, we do not consider that the request can be refined in this instance, as, even a
narrowing of the timeframe or geography would stil  require searching a large number of
individual files.

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Please also provide information on any rehabilitation or addiction support services
delivered in Northland prisons or to individuals on community sentences during this
time period, with particular relevance to methamphetamine or stimulant use. For
each programme or initiative, I would appreciate details including its name, delivery
partner (if any), the level of funding provided annually, and any outcome reporting or
evaluation data held.

All alcohol and other drug (AOD) programmes funded by Corrections have modules or
components that directly address methamphetamine-related harm.

Appendix One provides a list of Corrections’ AOD services available in prisons, including
those available in Northland Region Corrections Facility (NRCF), and in the community in
Northland, as wel  as services that include AOD modules, and the overall funding al ocated
to these services. Because these funding figures are commercially sensitive, we have
withheld the individual figures under section 9(2)(b)(ii) of the OIA, to protect information
that would be likely to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or
who is the subject of the information.

We have considered the release of this information would impact contractual agreements.
In accordance with section 9(1) of the OIA, we have also considered countervailing public
interest relating to the release of the information, including transparency and
accountability. We have decided to release the figures as a single figure across all the
programmes.

Please see the tables below which provide the completion rate and participant data for the
current programmes and services in Northland.
  Intensive Treatment Programme (ITP) eight-week programme at Northland Region
Corrections Facility (NRCF)
Provided by Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Northland
Financial year
Completion rate
Starts
1 July 2021 - 30 June 2022
76%
50
1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023
80%
36
1 July 2023 - 30 June 2024
90%
54
1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025
95%
46
  AOD harm minimisation (6-12 modules) programme at Northland Region Corrections
Facility (NRCF)
Delivered by Ngāti Hine Health Trust
Financial year
Completion rate
Starts
1 July 2021- 30 June 2022
No data available for these years*
1 July 2022- 30 June 2023
1 July 2023 - 30 June 2024
91%
46
1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025
81%
83
*Any data col ected for these years was not accurate enough to be considered reliable.

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AOD community residential services
Delivered by three providers: Ngāti Hine Health Trust, The Salvation Army, and Tuhiata Mahiora
Trust (after Te Whare Ruruhau O Meri Trust)
Financial year
Completion rate
Starts
1 July 2021 - 30 June 2022
70%
17
1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023
57%
28
1 July 2023 - 30 June 2024
48%
27
1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025
72%
22
Note: This is participation as funded by Corrections. Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora
funds additional participation in these services.

Unfortunately, data for the Oranga Whānau service which provides AOD community
services in Northland (mentioned in Appendix One) is not held in a readily retrievable
format. To identify this specific information, we would be required to manual y review a
large number of files.

In accordance with the OIA, we have considered whether to affix a charge or extend the
time limit for responding. However, given the scale of the request we do not consider that
this would be an appropriate use of our publicly funded resources. Therefore, this part of
your request is refused under section 18(f) of the OIA, as the information cannot be made
available without substantial collation or research.

As per section 18B of the OIA, we have considered whether consulting with you would
enable the request to be made in a form that would remove the reason for the refusal.
However, we do not consider that the request can be refined in this instance it is part of a
wider suite of data which we are providing.

Corrections uses the Rehabilitation Quotient (RQ) to measure the impact that our
interventions have on reoffending. Reoffending is measured in terms of reimprisonment
rates and rates of resentencing to a Corrections’ managed sentence. The RQ compares the
reimprisonment and resentencing rates of people who have participated in an intervention,
with the reoffending rates of similar people (matched through a range of factors) who have
not participated in either that specific intervention or a similar type of intervention.

Corrections publishes information on our RQ measures and scores in our Annual Reports,
which are available to view on our website at:
www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/strategic_reports/annual-reports.

Further, I am seeking copies of any correspondence between the Department of
Corrections and other agencies - specifically Health New Zealand, NZ Police, Far
North District Council, or any local iwi authorities - relating to methamphetamine-
related harm, addiction services, or community reintegration in Northland, dated
from 1 January 2022 onward.

Corrections has exchanged limited higher-level correspondence with the specified agencies
about methamphetamine harm, addiction services, or community reintegration in
Northland. We identified one email with relevant attachments. In accordance with section
14(b)(i ) of the OIA, we transferred this part of the request to the New Zealand Police, as the

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email was more closely related to the functions of this agency. You received notification of
this transfer and can expect a response from Police in due course.

A scoping exercise identified a further 17,800 email trails potentially within scope of this
part of your request. This includes operational correspondence with AOD providers, not
limited to procurement processes, programme design and delivery, ongoing service
reporting and quality assurance, involvement in sector networks, discussions of on-site
operational matters and clinical-related discussion. We have estimated that to collate and
review this information to meet your request as it is currently framed would impair the
effective administration of the teams tasked with this.

In accordance with the OIA, we have considered whether to affix a charge or extend the
time limit for responding. However, given the scale of the request we do not consider that
this would be an appropriate use of our publicly funded resources. Therefore, this part of
your request is refused under section 18(f) of the OIA, as the information cannot be made
available without substantial collation or research.

As per section 18B of the OIA, we have again considered whether consulting with you would
enable the request to be made in a form that would remove the reason for the refusal.
However, we do not consider that the request can be refined in this instance.

Lastly, I would appreciate copies of any current operational policies or guidance
provided to staff about managing methamphetamine-related behaviours or
withdrawal symptoms in custodial settings.

Please find the relevant page about methamphetamine and other stimulant use and
withdrawal from the Corrections Safer Prescribing Guidelines attached as Appendix Two.
These guidelines are to assist Primary Care clinicians, including Medical Officers (MOs),
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Nurse prescribers practicing within the New Zealand prison
environment.

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 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,
Wel ington 6143.

Ngā mihi

Kerry-Leigh Dougall
Acting Deputy Chief Executive Pae Ora

C196340 Appendix One
Alcohol and other drug (AOD) services provided in prisons:
Remand population: When people enter remand they can be experiencing the eﬀects of withdrawal from
substances which can impact on their mood, emotional regulation and behaviour. Corrections’ alcohol and
other drug interventions in remand take a safety and stabilisation approach to minimise the impacts of
substance use in the remand space. This approach raises awareness of the impacts of substances on body,
mental health and spiritual wellbeing, supports those on remand to self-regulate their emotions and
behaviour and to reﬂect on options in the community for them, their families and whānau.
Sentenced population: Corrections’ approach for sentenced people with identiﬁed substance use issues is
to address health and social impacts in low, moderate and high intensity treatment programmes that
promote wel being and also address the risk of reoﬀending. The skil s and knowledge imparted in these
programmes are designed to support participants to address environments, thinking and behaviours that
perpetuate substance use and impact on their ability to sustain change. Those engaged in moderate and
high intensity treatment often have high acuity and complexity requiring specialist treatment and
continuing coordinated care into the community.
AOD services provided at Northland Region Corrections Facility (NRCF)
NRCF has two AOD programmes available onsite: AOD harm minimisation for those on remand and an
Intensive treatment programme (to be replaced in July 2025 by an AOD low intensity programme for
sentenced prisoners). If sentenced prisoners at NRCF require a higher intensity programme, or their
security classiﬁcation does not match with the programme oﬀered at NRCF, they can be transferred to
another prison where the appropriate service for their need is delivered. People are regularly moved to
other prisons to accommodate their rehabilitation and reintegration needs as we cannot deliver every
intervention at every prison.
Currently the ITP is delivered by Health NZ – Te Whatu Ora Northland and the AOD harm minimisation
programme is delivered by Ngāti Hine Health Trust. From July 2025 the AOD low intensity programme and
AOD harm minimisation will both be delivered by Te Hā Oranga.
While not designed speciﬁcal y to treat substance use disorders, in addition to the programmes
referenced above, the medium intensity and short rehabilitation programmes at NRCF have addiction
modules. These programmes are designed to assist individuals to alter the thoughts, attitudes and
behaviour that led to their oﬀending, and to aid them to develop strategies for maintaining any positive
changes. These are run by internal programme facilitators and do not have contracted funding attached to
them. Mauri Tū Pae is run at NRCF as an alternative to the Medium Intensity Rehabilitation Programme,
including an AOD module as wel . It is facilitated by external contracted programme providers and aims to
address the underlying issues contributing to oﬀending for tāne through a Te Ao Māori lens.
Current AOD programmes across the prison network
• AOD Harm Minimisation (brief remand): 6- 12 modules available to everyone.
• AOD Low Intensity: 100- 120 hours of treatment. Day programme for those that meet the
criteria for mild substance use disorder. Beginning July 2025.
• AOD Moderate Intensity: 180 hours of treatment. Day or residential programme for those
that meet the criteria for moderate substance use disorder. Established July 2024
• AOD High Intensity: 220+ hours of treatment. Residential programme for those that meet the
criteria for severe substance use disorder. Established July 2024
Discontinued AOD programmes across the prison network
• Intensive Treatment Programme (ITP): 8-week day programme designed for those without
enough time on sentence to complete DTP. Ending July 2025.
• Drug Treatment Programme (DTP): 3- to 12-month residential programmes. Ended July 2024.

AOD services provided in the Northland community:

• Oranga Whānau:
Available to those that: have completed a prison AOD programme or other AOD programme in
the community or have a family or whānau member participating in a prison AOD programme;
or be serving a community-based sentence with an identiﬁed AOD risk of substance use harm.

Transition from prison and prison AOD programmes or in fact from any residential AOD service
to community can be a stressful time and there is a heightened risk of relapse and or oﬀending.

The service oﬀers a range of culturally led, clinically informed mahi e.g. brief assessment and
intervention, counsel ing, harm minimisation education and support, service navigation and
connection roles and function.

Delivered by Tuhiata Mahiora Trust.

• AOD community residential services
Community residential AOD treatment is an intensive rehabilitative programme where
participants live together in a therapeutic residence for the treatment duration. This type of
treatment works well for individuals with long-standing or severe addictions. Funding is through
packages of care made up of three components: withdrawal management, residential treatment
and continuing care.

Delivered by:
Hope House - Ngataki, Kaitaia (currently contracted to Tuhiata Mahiora Trust)
Ngāti Hine Health Trust - Whangarei
Salvation Army Bridge - Whangarei

Cost:

The projected annual cost of the AOD programmes and services in Northland (AOD harm minimisation,
AOD low intensity programme, Oranga Whānau, AOD community residential), excluding those internally
delivered with only AOD components, is approximately $1.4 million.
‮

C196340 Appendix Two
Methamphetamine and Other Stimulant Use and Withdrawal
Amphetamine and methamphetamines are commonly detected substances on urine drug screening
in people recently arrived in prison. There are currently no medications specifically indicated to
manage amphetamine and methamphetamine withdrawal, however this is an area of ongoing
research. Support with reassurance, comfort cares, and simple analgesia is appropriate.
Occasionally, short courses of anti-anxiety or hypnotic medication may be appropriate to manage
acute withdrawal symptoms among distressed individuals when safety processes are in place.
There is a growing body of literature to suggest improved outcomes in mood and functioning among
people who receive antipsychotic medication while withdrawing from methamphetamine. The doses
are generally in the low range and the studies tend to report short-term (e.g. 4 week) outcomes. Use
of antipsychotics over longer periods for managing methamphetamine withdrawals remains an area
of investigation. Off-label use of antipsychotics in prisons would need to be balanced with the risk of
diversion, as antipsychotics are highly-tradeable medications. At present, it seems reasonable to
reserve antipsychotic treatment of methamphetamine withdrawal to short courses in people who
are significantly distressed.
The off-label use of stimulant and antidepressant medication for managing methamphetamine
withdrawal is currently outside the scope of General Practice.
SAFER PRESCRIBING FOR METHAMPHETAMINE WITHDRAWAL
Red: There is no indication for routinely prescribing
antihistamines, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, cannabis
products, opioid analgesia, or zopiclone for people undergoing
methamphetamine withdrawal in the prison setting
Amber: There may be some benefit of short courses of anti-
anxiety, sedative, or antipsychotic therapy for people who are
significantly distressed by symptoms of methamphetamine
withdrawal, if appropriate safety-checks are in place. Prescribers
should be familiar with the literature.
Green: Reassurance, sleep hygiene, appropriate physical activity,
simple analgesia as needed.
Resources:
• Jill Bowman, NZ Department of Corrections (2017): Methamphetamine use disorders among
New Zealand prisoners. Practice: The New Zealand Corrections Journal. V5:2.
https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/research/journal/volume_5_issue_2_november_20
17/methamphetamine_use_disorders_among_new_zealand_prisoners
• Karila L, Weinstein A, Aubin HJ, Benyamina A, Reynaud M, Batki SL. Pharmacological approaches
to methamphetamine dependence: a focused review. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2010 Jun;69(6):578-
92. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2010.03639.x. PMID: 20565449; PMCID: PMC2883750.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2883750/
• The Amphetamine Withdrawal Questionnaire is a tool for monitoring symptoms of stimulant
withdrawal.
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