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What changes, if any, are expected, forecast, planned, or assumed during 2026/27 to mental health, alcohol and other drug, or therapeutic services provided in prisons or the community as part of, or in connection with, savings, optimisation, scaling, reprioritisation, fiscal sustainability, or efficiency initiatives? and 4 other questions

Answered 5 questions (2026)
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Asked by

Tracey McLellan

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 24544

    What changes, if any, are expected, forecast, planned, or assumed during 2026/27 to mental health, alcohol and other drug, or therapeutic services provided in prisons or the community as part of, or in connection with, savings, optimisation, scaling, reprioritisation, fiscal sustainability, or efficiency initiatives?

  • 24551

    What changes, if any, are expected, forecast, planned, or assumed during 2026/27 to reintegration services available to prisoners prior to release, including changes to eligibility, referral pathways, service frequency, service duration, provider arrangements, contracted capacity, or site availability?

  • 24558

    What changes, if any, are expected, forecast, planned, or assumed during 2026/27 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?

  • 24567

    What contracted community-based services, if any, are expected, forecast, planned, or assumed to have their funding reduced, be discontinued, have contracts varied, or not have contracts renewed during 2026/27 as part of, or in connection with, savings, optimisation, scaling, reprioritisation, fiscal sustainability, or efficiency initiatives in Vote Corrections?

  • 24573

    What rehabilitation programmes, reintegration services, education services, vocational training programmes, or contracted community services, if any, are expected, forecast, planned, or assumed to have funding reduced, delayed, capped, paused, or discontinued during 2026/27 as part of, or in connection with, savings, optimisation, scaling, reprioritisation, fiscal sustainability, or efficiency initiatives in Vote Corrections?

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

I am advised that Corrections utilises rigorous annual planning and internal budgeting processes with a strong focus on fiscal stewardship and sustainability. Through these processes all expenditure allocations across the Department is carefully reviewed, including identification of any cost-reduction opportunities or internal reprioritisation considerations, unfunded cost pressures and other internal budget complexities. I am further advised that the internal functional planning and budgeting process is still underway and changes to any services provided in FY2026/27 are yet to be finalised. Before any final decisions are made, stakeholder consultation will need to be undertaken. This is also my answer to WPQs (2026) 24551, 24558, 24567, and 24573.