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The Department of Corrections is undergoing a major revamp, it announced today.
Corrections has been in the spotlight during the past few years with problems over prisoner transport, allegations of corruption, drugs in prisons, and overcrowding.
Chief executive Barry Matthews says the new structure will see the department facing the future with confidence.
"The new structure will ensure that Corrections is appropriately positioned and structured to meet the demands which will be faced by the department over the medium and long term," Mr Matthews said.
Changes will see the disestablishment of a number of head office groups and the creation of several new support groups at head office level.
Key features of the new structure include a new internal investigation team which will look into any allegations of curruption within the department, and an increased emphasis on rehabilitation and reintegration.
Mr Matthews said the delivery of services for offenders would be reduced from four distinct streams to two.
The services delivered by Psychological Services, programme delivery and the work of probation staff combined into a new entity -- Community Probation and Psychological Services (CPPS).
CPPS would be co-ordinated at a regional level to enable greater co-ordination with the department's other service delivery arm, Prison Services.
Mr Matthews said the new positions of general manager organisational development and general manager business information and planning were being advertised externally and would bring fresh perspectives to the senior management team.
He said the restructuring was never about job losses, and at worst, 10 staff might lose their jobs.
"The clarity provided by the new structure will also result in very clear accountabilities for senior managers in terms of the services provided," Mr Matthews said.
- NZPA
