Reflections on Implementing a Women’s Strategy Within the New Zealand Corrections System: Successes, Challenges and Opportunities

WICC2025 Presentation by Kym Grierson and Ben Storey (WICC2025-PID086)

Authors

Kym Grierson

Deputy Commissioner Women's Prisons, Ara Poutama | Department of Corrections, New Zealand

Kym Grierson is the Deputy Commissioner Women’s Prisons, a role established in April 2024. Kym joined the Department of Corrections in 2010 as a Programme Facilitator. Other roles she has held throughout the course of her career with Corrections include Principal Facilitator, Assistant Prison Director, General Manager Integrated Practice, and Workstream Co-lead – Women’s Strategy.

Kym oversees the safe, fair, and humane management of women in New Zealand’s prisons. This includes direct line management of the General Managers for our three women’s prisons – Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility, Arohata Prison (in Wellington), and Christchurch Women’s Prison.

Her role helps to strengthen the connection between frontline operations and stewardship of the national prison network. Kym plays an important role in the strategic direction of Wāhine: E Rere Ana Ki te Pae Hou - our Women’s Strategy.
A key focus for Kym is the continued development and delivery of policy, process, practice, programmes and services designed to respond to the unique needs of women in prison.

Ben Storey

Chief Nurse - Director Physical Health, Ara Poutama | Department of Corrections, New Zealand

Benjamin (Ben) Storey is Chief Nurse and Director Physical Health for New Zealand’s Department of Corrections.

Born in the United Kingdom, Ben joined Corrections in 2020 following an extensive career within the health sector, namely within acute care environments. He played a leading role in Corrections’ response to COVID-19 and subsequently on-going business continuity planning and pandemic response management.

He has been fortunate to work across the globe, having spent time working in West Africa, North Queensland, and New Zealand. He now combines his passion for acute and primary healthcare services by translating strategy into outcomes focused operational practice.

His current focus is to support and strengthen the delivery of primary healthcare services in New Zealand’s prisons. He is passionate about delivering equitable health outcomes for Māori, New Zealand’s indigenous population.

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