Following the resignation of Otago Corrections Facility (OCF) director Jack Harrison last month, Corrections is advertising for a new director of the prison, near Milton.
On the basis of the job description, the successful applicant will need to be a high-flying all-rounder, combining ``proven operational, financial and business systems experience'' with ``the courage and determination to succeed at both a strategic and operational level''.
The advertisement alludes to a sensitivity to media scrutiny.
One of the key requirements listed is a ``a high level of understanding and anticipation of political and reputational risk''.
Seven years after its 2007 opening, OCF had its first escapee in 2014, when Stephen Maddren leapt from a roof after climbing down a downpipe, resulting in a seven-day police chase. He was ultimately found asleep in the hot water cupboard of a shearers' residence in Milton.
Mr Maddren died last year in Dunedin Hospital just days after his release from prison. His death was not believed to be suspicious and was referred to the coroner.
In 2016, a report from the Ombudsman revealed a mentally unwell prisoner was handcuffed for 21 hours a day for 10 weeks at OCF.
Prospective prison bosses will also require ``familiarity of the Treaty of Waitangi and an understanding of the factors impacting on offender rehabilitation and reintegration''.
A Corrections spokeswoman said an acting prison director was appointed at OCF in September 2016 after Mr Harrison ``accepted a secondment to an operations role at Corrections' national office''.
``Last month, the former prison director formally left his position at [OCF] to accept a new role at Corrections' national office as a programme director with the prison capacity programme.''
Mr Harrison was appointed to the role of OCF director in October 2005, before its 2007 opening. The prison was one of four new prisons to open around that time. It was initially intended to house 425 male prisoners but that number grew when ``double-bunking'' began in 2010.
Applications for the role of OCF director close on June 3 and can be submitted via jobs.
govt.nz.
