Visiting Prisons under Alert Level 2
The Department of Corrections has advised that while it is now possible for lawyers to visit their clients in person when requested, Corrections encourages lawyers to consider other options for engaging with their clients where practicable.
The measures put in place to support access during COVID-19 will continue. These include utilising the lawyer document email system to request video conferencing and phone calls with clients, and the use of Jabber to call into the VMR.
Corrections has advised its staff that communication with lawyers is to be given priority over other uses of the phone system.
Precautions and safety protocols are detailed in the visiting prisons under Alert Level 2 section of Corrections website.
Chief Executive, Jeremy Lightfoot, notes that counsel should have good access to defendants. If you experience any issues, please should contact prisonercontact@corrections.govt.nz. He has also requested that counsel keep him informed of any concerns they might have.
