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Corrections Act 2004

Corrections system - Establishment and operation of prisons - Work and earnings

66: Work and earnings

You could also call this:

"Working and getting paid while in prison"

While you are in prison, you can do work that the prison manager directs or provides. You can do this work inside or outside the prison where you are being held. This does not apply to you if you are only waiting for your trial or are being held under the Immigration Act 2009, unless you ask to be employed.

You can earn money from this work at a rate approved by the Minister. Your earnings can be paid to you, used in a way set out in regulations, or both. The prison manager must make sure that any industry providing work to prisoners uses approved accounting methods.

You can only be employed in work that is approved by the chief executive and is meant to give you work experience, help you rehabilitate, or reduce the costs of keeping you in prison. Any work you do must be carried out according to set requirements.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM295485.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal lawWork and jobs > Worker rights
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65A: Electronic monitoring of prisoners employed in work or accommodated outside secure perimeter, or

"Tracking prisoners who work or live outside the main prison area using an electronic device"

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66A: Self-employment, or

"Working for yourself while in prison, with the prison manager's approval"

Part 2Corrections system
Establishment and operation of prisons: Work and earnings

66Work and earnings

  1. Every prisoner (other than a prisoner who is only awaiting trial or on remand or who is detained under the Immigration Act 2009) may, while in custody,—

  2. be employed in any work that is directed or provided by the prison manager; and
    1. be employed in that work outside the prison in which he or she is detained.

      1. A prisoner who is detained only because he or she is awaiting trial or on remand or who is detained under the Immigration Act 2009 may be employed under this section if he or she asks to be employed.

      2. Earnings at a rate or rates approved by the Minister may be—

      3. credited to each prisoner employed under this section; or
        1. applied or paid in accordance with regulations made under this Act; or
          1. dealt with under both paragraphs (a) and (b).

            1. The manager of a prison in which any industry provides work under this section to prisoners in that prison must ensure that, in the operation of that industry, there are adopted only those accounting methods that are from time to time approved by the chief executive.

            2. Prisoners may—

            3. be employed under this section only in work of a kind described in subsection (6) that is approved by the chief executive and under the conditions approved by the chief executive; and
              1. only be directed, under subsection (1)(a), to perform work of a kind specified in subsection (6)(b).

                1. The work referred to in subsection (5) is work that is—

                2. intended to provide the prisoner with work experience or to assist his or her rehabilitation or reintegration into the community; or
                  1. intended to reduce the costs of keeping prisoners in custody (for example, cooking, cleaning, and maintenance within the prison or any other prison).

                    1. Any work in which a prisoner is employed under this section must be carried out in accordance with any prescribed requirements.

                    Compare
                    • 1954 No 51 s 20
                    Notes
                    • Section 66(1): amended, at 2 am on , by section 406(1) of the Immigration Act 2009 (2009 No 51).
                    • Section 66(2): amended, at 2 am on , by section 406(1) of the Immigration Act 2009 (2009 No 51).