Driving a System-level Transformation of the New Zealand Prison System from a Human Rights Foundation

ICPA2023 Presentation by Juanita Ryan (ICPA2023-PID152)

Author

Dr. Juanita Ryan

Deputy Chief Executive, Health Services, Corrections New Zealand

In November 2019 I was appointed Deputy Chief Executive, Health Services of Ara Poutama. I’m responsible for the operational delivery (both internally and contractually) of health, mental health, addictions and disability services for people on remand, or sentence with the Department.
I joined Corrections 15 years ago as a psychologist spending much of her time working in prisons. Other roles I’ve held include, Principal Psychologist, Director Programmes and Interventions and Chief Psychologist.
Since starting my current role my main goal has been to strengthen the leadership and service delivery within the Health Service. The Health Services team have a clear focus and vision to transform health services to support and enable healthy futures for those under the management of Corrections and achieve equity of Health care for Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Four key priorities sit under this objective. These priorities form the core of the work programme for the team:

1) develop a Health Service that meets the needs of Māori
2) develop a Health Services Governance Framework
3) develop a Health Services Outcomes Measurement Tool
4) strengthen and expand mental health and addictions services

I’m passionate and committed to working towards social justice and equity of outcomes for Māori and values the criticality of working with and for Māori towards our shared goal of significantly better outcomes for Māori.

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