82318 (2024). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections

82318 (2024). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections: What plans, if any, does the Minister have to establish dedicated placement options for young women under 25 in Corrections custody?

Hon Mark Mitchell: I am advised that Corrections manages young women in alignment with Corrections’ Women’s strategy, Wāhine-E rere ana ki te pae hou, which recognises that many women in Corrections’ management present with complex needs, including traumatic experiences, addiction issues, and parenting responsibilities. I am further advised that there are no specific youth units for young women due to the very low number of young women in prison across the New Zealand prison network. Instead, when young women enter prison, their pathway is developed with a holistic approach and they are placed in the environment/unit that best supports that pathway and supports any particular vulnerabilities they may have, including, but not limited to being young.