Search

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley has officially opened a new High Dependency Unit at Rimutaka Prison, the first of its kind in New Zealand.

The new 20-bed unit, which will be operated by Corrections officers and health services staff, will cater for prisoners who can no longer look after themselves and who have high health needs.

It will cater mostly for older men, some of whom have dementia, and for younger prisoners with significant health conditions such as physical disabilities, motor neurone disease or multiple sclerosis.

Minister for Social Development Paula Bennett today met with Auckland Sexual Abuse Helpline (ASAH) and agreed to an interim funding arrangement with contributions from Health, Social Development and Police.

“I met with ASAH today, I’ve heard their concerns and the Government is prepared to step in to keep the service running without interruption,” says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

They have also committed to a sustainable three year contract with negotiations to be finalised in April 2013.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says a Bill which clarifies the definition of certain firearms and places controls on the importation of restricted airguns has passed its third reading in Parliament.

The Arms (Military Style Semi-Automatic Firearms and Import Controls) Amendment Bill clarifies the definition of military style semi-automatic firearms (MSSAs), and places controls on the importation of airguns that look like real pistols, MSSAs or restricted weapons. Importers of such airguns will now be required to have a special Police permit.

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley has announced that an expert advisory panel has been formed to help deliver improved safety for prison staff.

The international panel, chaired by Howard Broad, will review the Corrections Department’s new Staff Safety Action Plan and oversee its implementation in 2013.

The panel will recommend additions and any possible improvements to the Action Plan, as well as consulting with staff, interest groups and unions.

Police and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley is travelling to England and Italy from October 31 to November 8 for discussions on organised crime, the UK sex offenders' register, online child pornography and prisoner rehabilitation.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says the roll out of Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) across New Zealand has been completed, as the Outer Kaiti NPT in Gisborne becomes fully operational.

This brings the total number of Neighbourhood Policing Teams to 33, with the first established two years ago in Counties-Manukau.

The NPTs work for up to five years in priority areas where members of the public are more likely to be victims of crime.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says Labour should get its facts right instead of trying to mislead the public over Police funding.

"Funding levels for Police were maintained in the Budget, yet Labour's Police spokesperson continues to claim there were cuts,” says Mrs Tolley.

"No matter how many times Labour makes these claims they will always be false.

"The media and the public deserve to know the facts, and Labour's comments can't be trusted.

"This is nothing more than a campaign of scaremongering and making up figures.

James Cook Hotel, Wellington

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā hau e whā. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

Good morning everyone and thank you for the invitation to open your annual conference.

Can I acknowledge your President Greg O'Connor and your executive. We have a constructive relationship and I appreciate that. Can I also acknowledge Police Association delegates – and give a warm welcome to the international delegates from South Africa, Tonga and Australia.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has today turned the sod for the new Wanaka Police station.

The total cost of the new state of the art facility will be around $3 million, with the station set to open with 18 staff in the middle of 2013.

“This is an exciting time for Police staff and the Wanaka community,” says Mrs Tolley.

“They are soon going to have the modern Police station they deserve.

The Minister responsible for the Serious Fraud Office, Anne Tolley, has thanked the agency’s outgoing Chief Executive, Adam Feeley, who leaves the position today.

"Early in 2010 the Government promised to rebuild the Serious Fraud Office," says Mrs Tolley.

"We made the resources available to enable the SFO to maintain and build New Zealand's reputation as a safe place to invest and do business.

"Adam Feeley has delivered on this with his hard work and determination.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has honoured Police officers who have lost their lives while on duty, at a service to mark Police Remembrance Day.

The service, at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua, also paid tribute to the serving and former Police staff who have died in the last year.

“29 Police officers have died in the line of duty, and they have a special place in the hearts of New Zealanders,” says Mrs Tolley.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says the increased focus on frontline policing and crime prevention will continue, following another drop in recorded crimes.

Recorded offences were down by 5.2 per cent, with 21,802 fewer crimes in the fiscal year to 30 June 2012. The crime rate per head of population fell by 5.9 per cent.

It follows a seven per cent reduction in crime per head of population in the previous fiscal year, and a 5.6 per cent decrease in the 2011 calendar year.

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says targets for prisoners engaged in education and employment have been exceeded by more than 100 per cent.

During the course of the Prisoner Skills and Employment Strategy 2009-2012, the number of prisoners in vocational training, employment and literacy and numeracy education increased to 7,529 from 5,359 – an increase of 2170 compared to the target of 1000.

“These figures are fantastic and we are determined to do even better,” says Mrs Tolley.

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley has today turned the sod for the new 960-bed men’s prison at Wiri in South Auckland.

Up to 1000 construction jobs and 300 long-term positions will be created, with the new facility scheduled to open in 2015 as part of a 25 year contract worth approximately $840 million.

The SecureFuture consortium of Fletcher Construction, Serco and Spotless Facility Services has been contracted to design, finance, build, operate and maintain the prison under a public-private partnership (PPP).

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says a contract has been signed allowing the SecureFuture consortium to design, finance, build, operate and maintain the new 960-bed public-private partnership (PPP) prison at Wiri, South Auckland.

The new prison will deliver value for taxpayers and support the Government in reaching the target of a 25 per cent reduction in reoffending by 2017.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has today officially opened the new police station at Rolleston, near Christchurch.

The $1.6 million facility, in Tennyson Street, is opening on time and on budget.

“The new police station is a fantastic addition to Rolleston,” says Mrs Tolley.

“It gives the police greater visibility, it’s nearer the local community compared to the previous station, and it is also much more accessible to the public.

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley has officially opened the expanded drug and alcohol treatment unit at Hawke’s Bay Prison, as part of the Government’s target of reducing reoffending by 25 per cent by 2017.

A new intensive addiction programme for low security segregated prisoners will see an extra 120 offenders receive treatment each year at the prison.

Across the country, 33,100 additional offenders will receive new and expanded drug and alcohol treatment in prisons and in the community, an increase of almost 500 per cent.

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley has today officially opened the new Community Probation Centre in Napier.

Staff at the new centre will be responsible for managing around 680 offenders every year, who are serving community sentences and orders in Napier.

“Community Probation Centres play an important role in protecting the public and reducing reoffending,” says Mrs Tolley.

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley has today officially opened the new Community Probation Centre in Napier.

Staff at the new centre will be responsible for managing around 680 offenders every year, who are serving community sentences and orders in Napier.

“Community Probation Centres play an important role in protecting the public and reducing reoffending,” says Mrs Tolley.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has congratulated Police following a hugely successful six-month campaign targeting cannabis growers and dealers throughout New Zealand.

“This sends a powerful message to criminals that drugs and drug dealers will not be tolerated in our communities,” says Mrs Tolley.

“By targeting the source, the supply chain, and the proceeds of crime, organised criminals have been hit hard.

“The Government is determined to drive these people out of our communities and out of business.”

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says a record number of prisoners are now employed in on-the-job training or trades training programmes which lead to qualifications.

Offenders in Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE), including Release to Work programmes, increased by 175 to 3,144 in June, well over a third of all prisoners and the highest ever number engaged in formal training and employment activities.

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley is in Adelaide from 11-13 July to attend a Corrective Services Ministers’ Conference.

The Conference is held annually, to allow Ministers from New Zealand and Australian States and Territories to exchange ideas and information.

Issues to be discussed this year include the management of sexual offenders in the community, emerging technologies, and the prevention of self-harm and suicide in prisons.

“The sharing of experiences with other jurisdictions is extremely worthwhile,” says Mrs Tolley.

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley is travelling in Australia from 3 - 7 July for visits to prisons, offender reintegration facilities and prisoner employment programmes.

Mrs Tolley will also have talks with Australian Corrections Ministers and officials during the trip to Queensland and South Australia.

“These visits will be valuable for information-gathering and for sharing ideas,” says Mrs Tolley.

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says the first anniversary of the ban on smoking in prisons is a significant milestone, with facilities now much safer and healthier for staff and prisoners.

The ban was introduced on 1 July 2011, following a year-long campaign to help prisoners quit smoking.

“Corrections staff and prisoners have already seen great benefits,” says Mrs Tolley.