For Immediate Release 28 May 2009

Corrections Welcomes Additional Funding

“The Government’s Budget announcements today represent a significant investment in the Department which will see Corrections better placed to improve public safety and meet the challenge of increasing pressure on its services”, says Chief Executive Barry Matthews.

“A significant part of the $267.7 million ear-marked for Community Probation & Psychological Services (CPPS) will go towards the recruitment of additional staff and their training over the next four years. This will enable CPPS to both cope with increased pressures on its services and the need to improve the quality of parole and home detention management. These were issues raised by the recent Review of Parole Management by the Auditor-General.

“A further $50.9 million has been allocated to CPPS in the next two years to provide additional accommodation and improvements to offender management systems.

“CPPS has also received funding so it can address the impact of a Ministry of Justice initiative to minimise waiting times in the criminal courts in Auckland. This funding comprises $8.5 million operational funding over four years and $2.6 million for capital expenditure in 2009/10.

“Prison Services (PS) will also be able to move ahead in meeting the projected increase in prisoner numbers over the next four years as a consequence of the $431.7 million in funding also announced in today’s budget. $255.4 million provides PS with funding over four years for the day to day management of a higher number of prisoners. $145.8 million has been allocated to increase double bunking at five prison sites and $24 million has been made available to enable us to progress work on a range of options to increase prison capacity in the upper North Island where demand will be greatest.

“Our focus now is on implementing the improvements this additional funding allows for”, said Mr Matthews.

ENDS

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