24563 (2026). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections

24563 (2026). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections: What changes, if any, have been made since 1 January 2024 to the availability, frequency, duration, eligibility criteria, referral criteria, waitlists, or site availability of rehabilitation programmes in prisons as part of, or in connection with, savings, optimisation, scaling, reprioritisation, fiscal sustainability, or efficiency initiatives?

Hon Mark Mitchell: I am advised that to help achieve the organisational objectives of reduced reoffending, improved public safety, and reduced overrepresentation of Māori, Corrections seeks to continuously improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its rehabilitation programmes. One way of achieving this is through regular integrity/quality monitoring and also reviewing internal programmes to ensure that they remain aligned with ‘what works’ literature. I am further advised that the only changes connected to planning and budget decisions was funding for the Te Ira Tangata contracted service ended in June 2025, following a temporary internal extension covering 2023–2025. This aligned with the conclusion of the original Ministry of Justice Proceeds of Crime funding (which ended in 2023) and was consistent with the planned funding timeframe for the service.