19818 (2026). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections

19818 (2026). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections: What additional funding or resources, if any, has the Government allocated specifically toward prison integrity, anti-corruption, and organised crime prevention since taking office?

Hon Mark Mitchell: Corrections has been funded to respond to increasing prisoner volumes, supporting recruitment of frontline staff to align with prisoner growth. Internally Corrections makes ongoing resource allocation and reprioritisation decisions to ensure a safe and supported workforce. These decisions have included (but are not limited to): • Undertaking additional proactive searches of prison sites • Adding specialist search equipment across sites • Redesigning Ara Tika (Corrections’ induction programme for new staff), which includes an additional module on integrity. This redesign has been expanded to include all new staff members. • Updating and refreshing their Code of Conduct. Corrections’ Code of Conduct covers the behaviour expected of all staff, volunteers, consultants and contractors who work for Corrections, and contains a clear framework for expectations, behaviour, and accountability. In addition to this, the Corrections has a dedicated Integrity Team who provide high quality specialist investigation services and advice, alongside delivering an integrity awareness programme focused on raising awareness of and preventing fraud, corruption, dishonesty and other criminal risks, and giving staff the skills and tools they need to avoid manipulation. Corrections also continues to work closely with Police to ensure we actively disrupt any attempts at criminal activity both within our prisons and the wider community. Corrections also develops, implements, and constantly maintains appropriate measures to prevent, detect, and respond to fraud, corruption, dishonesty, and other criminal activity. This includes the development and regular review of fraud, corruption and other risk profiles, as well as internal fraud controls, staff integrity education, training and support. This includes the Addressing Fraud, Corruption, Dishonesty and Other Criminal Activity Policy (currently under review), and the Corruption at Corrections paper which is a learning resource for staff. Corrections are also working to develop a specialised Organised Crime Reduction Unit. Corrections recently participated in an Anti-Corruption Taskforce pilot, a cross-agency initiative designed to strengthen how the state sector prevents, detects, and responds to fraud and corruption risks. This has highlighted opportunities where they can improve and strengthen proactive measures and response to fraud and corruption. Corrections staff face unique corruption and integrity risks within the public sector, driven by prolonged and direct exposure to people with direct involvement in transnational and serious organised crime, alongside their dual responsibilities as both facilitators of change and custodians of secure environments. These activities aim to strengthen organisational resilience, support staff to recognise and respond to corruption risks early, and safeguard both people and systems across Corrections.