Tēnā koutou,

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I am requesting information relating to the proposal submitted by me on 17 March 2025 titled:
“Strengthening Family Connections in Corrections” – a pilot programme designed to support whānau connections for incarcerated individuals through supervised, offline video messaging.

I request the following information:

The name(s) and role(s) of the Corrections staff who received, reviewed, or responded to the proposal.

Whether the proposal was internally referred to or considered by:

The Rehabilitation and Reintegration Services team

The Māori Partnerships or Whānau Engagement teams

Parenting Programme staff

Policy, Strategy, or Innovation units

Any meeting notes, internal communications, email threads, or file memos relating to the review or discussion of the proposal.

Whether the proposal was assessed using any criteria, framework, or formal process for unsolicited community-initiated proposals.

Whether Corrections has an internal process or pathway for reviewing ideas that are submitted outside of GETS.

Whether Corrections intends to consider the subject matter of the proposal (i.e. child-to-parent connection through secure video messaging) in any future initiatives or tender processes.

A copy of any internal response or recommendation relating to the handling or outcome of this proposal.

Background:
The proposal was acknowledged with a referral to GETS. This request is made to better understand how unsolicited but relevant community-led proposals are treated by Corrections, and to clarify whether meaningful internal consideration was given.

Please provide this information in full, or advise if any part of this request will require extension under section 15A of the Act.

Ngā mihi,
Nigel McFall
Unity Party
[email address]