New Zealand Justice Information Strategy

New Zealanders will benefit from moves to raise the quality of this country's already world-class justice sector information base, with the launch of a new strategy for sharing and managing information, says the Associate Justice Minister, Clayton Cosgrove.

Mr Cosgrove officially launched the Justice Information Strategy 2006-2011 at a function at the Grand Hall in Parliament, at 6pm this evening. Around 70 senior justice representatives from across the sector attended the event.

It is the third information strategy developed by justice agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, the New Zealand Police and the Department of Corrections. The Ministry of Social Development, Land Transport New Zealand, the Legal Services Agency and the Crown Law Office have also been involved.

Mr Cosgrove outlined the major improvements in the management and exchange of justice sector information since the first strategy was launched in 1996.

"Today we have a central electronic database to support justice sector research, common standards and protocols for sharing data, improved access to criminal justice information and we routinely share information across a secure network of seven operation systems," he said. "Justice Sector Information Strategy 2006 – 2011 provides the framework to expand and improve the network over the next five years."

Key elements under the new strategy include;
· Ongoing improvements to data quality and integrity
· Being responsive to new emerging technologies that could bring benefits, as well as ensuring any agency's IT changes do not compromise the network
· Increased inter-agency collaboration in research, policy development and strategic decision making, as well as extending best practice
· Improved justice sector information and service provision to communities
· Extending the information network to other relevant agencies

Mr Cosgrove said justice agencies rely on accurate, relevant and timely information to function effectively and the new strategy provides the framework to facilitate that.

"Having the right information and analytical tools translates to smarter use of information, improved data quality for investigation and deployment, less paperwork, improved forward planning and a better service for our communities," he said. "It is very pleasing to see the justice sector's proud tradition of collaboration continuing."