This policy guides the development of the Board's policies and guidelines.

Section 106 (2) of the Sentence Administration Act 2003 (the Act) provides that the Board may do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with, or as incidental to, the performance of its functions.

A 'Policy Committee' will be formed from within the Board membership to be chaired by the Chairperson of the Board which will in the first instance develop all policies. This committee will consider:

• Any new policy as required including this framework policy to guide future development.
• Whether consultation is required over any policy, and with whom this consultation should take place.
• What process of review should be developed for the future.

Once a policy has been considered and developed by the 'Policy Committee', it will be sent to the Board for approval. The Board may direct amendment or approval. Approval of policy must be achieved at a sitting of the Board convened for the purpose of administration of the Board.

A policy will be deemed to have been approved by the Board when it has been approved by a majority of the members of the Board.

All policies must be consistent with the Act and any regulations made under the Act.

No policy can fetter the genuine exercise of discretion by the Board and any member of the Board.

Policies of the Board will be accessible to Board members as well as the general public, including victims and offenders. This will be achieved by posting the policies to the website of the Board. New policies will be referred to in the Board's annual report.

The validity of any policy will not be affected by any failure to have it publicly notified in any way.