7. TODD McCLAY (National—Rotorua) Link to this
to the Minister of Corrections
What progress has been achieved by the Department of Corrections to improve its performance in managing parole and home detention?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Corrections) Link to this
I am very pleased to report to the House that substantial progress has been made by Community Probation and Psychological Services since the Auditor-General identified serious shortcomings in February 2009. In September 2008 Community Probation and Psychological Services met 56 percent of its standards for parole, and 52 percent for home detention. I am delighted to say that in July this year it achieved 96 percent of its parole mandatory standards—up from 56 percent—and 88 percent of its home detention mandatory standards. This is a stunning turn-round for a service that has adopted a culture of excellence, accountability, and professionalism.
That is such good news. How has Community Probation and Psychological Services been able to deliver such a significant lift in performance?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
The department has been supported by an expert panel to implement a multi-year change programme to overhaul the delivery of its services. In particular, it has introduced new performance standards, boosted its management processes, and increased staff training. This Government also injected an extra $256 million into the probation service. That has allowed 246 extra probation officers to be employed. A great deal of work has gone in over the last 2 years to lift performance, and I am very, very pleased with the results.