NZQA registered unit standard
27289 version 2
Page 1 of 5
Title
Demonstrate tactical decision-making and communication in a prison
environment
Level
3
Purpose
Credits
4
This unit standard is for people working as officers in a prison
environment and covers tactical decision-making and
communication.
People credited with this unit standards are able to
demonstrate:
 knowledge of prisoner behaviour and psychology when
making tactical decisions;
 tactical decision-making processes in a prison;
 de-escalation techniques in a prison; and
 knowledge of and apply instruction techniques using
AWOCA.
Classification
Offender Management > Prisoner Management
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
This unit standard is intended for workplace assessment.
2
Boundaries of unit standard
Achievement of this unit standard can be used as evidence for gaining initial Tactical
Decision-making and Communication registration with the Department of Corrections.
3
References
Corrections Act 2004;
Corrections Regulations 2005;
Crimes Act 1961;
Crimes of Torture Act 1989;
Criminal Justice Act 1985;
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992;
New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990;
Parole Act 2002;
PS Operations Manual, Department of Corrections, available at
http://www.corrections.govt.nz/policy-and-legislation/ps-operations-manual.html;
Privacy Act 1993;
Sentencing Act 2002;
and their subsequent amendments or replacements.
ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27289 version 2
Page 2 of 5
4
Definitions
Anger scale – annoyed, frustrated, angry, very angry, rage.
AWOCA – acronym used to describe the tactical communication technique used by
Corrections staff for instructing prisoners. Includes ASKING or telling a prisoner what
to do, explaining WHY it is necessary for the prisoner to comply, giving the prisoner
OPTIONS, CONFIRMING that the prisoner understands, and ACTING by taking
action. Each step in the AWOCA process is distinct, and no step is used without the
prior step having been conducted.
Body language techniques – the safe body position that must be used by prison staff
when de-escalating prisoners to minimise the target they present to the prisoner.
Includes foot position (one foot forward so the officer can easily move forwards and
backwards), distance (out of strike range), standing in the triangle (standing to the
side of the prisoner), hand position (in front with open palms), and maintaining visual
contact and awareness of the prisoner.
De-escalation – communication process used to calm and reduce aggressive
behaviour shown by a prisoner which includes but is not limited to – active listening,
feedback that indicates active engagement, asking not telling, appropriate tone of
voice, paraphrasing, using open questions, agreeing with the statement, and
acknowledging the reason for the anger.
Trifle – non-threatening physical contact.
5
Assessment range
a Performance of the outcomes of this unit standard must meet all the principles of
behaviour and criteria as detailed in the Prison Services Operations Manual
(PSOM), Department of Corrections (available at
http://www.corrections.govt.nz/policy-and-legislation/ps-operations-manual.html),
the Department of Corrections Code of Conduct, other documented national
policies and procedures, and prison-specific procedures.
b The range statements in this unit standard must be applied according to prisonspecific equipment, procedures, and processes.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of prisoner behaviour and psychology in a conflict situation.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Describe attitudes and emotional behaviour of prisoners in a conflict situation.
Range
1.2
includes but is not limited to – physiology of anger, anger scale,
tone of voice, body language, content of verbal communication.
Describe factors influencing emotional behaviour of prisoners.
Range
may include but is not limited to – frustration, anger, loss of
control, mental and physical health, alcohol and drugs,
intimidation, desire to be noticed, prisoner status, boredom.
evidence of three is required.
ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
1.3
27289 version 2
Page 3 of 5
Describe other factors influencing behaviour of prisoners in conflict situations.
Range
may include but is not limited to – mental health, risk of assault,
decoy, alcohol and drugs, peer pressure;
evidence of three is required.
Outcome 2
Use tactical decision-making processes in a prison environment.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Describe factors that must be taken into account when making tactical decisions
in a prison.
Range
2.2
Identify situational factors influencing tactical decision-making in a prison.
Range
2.3
includes but is not limited to – physical surroundings, other
prisoners in the immediate vicinity, positioning of self and other
officers relative to subject and other prisoners in the vicinity,
self-awareness, past experience, weapons, gangs.
Describe tactical decision-making options available to prison staff in a conflict
situation.
Range
2.4
includes but is not limited to – purpose, parameters of purpose,
behaviour of prisoner, intensity of prisoner behaviour.
de-escalate, disengage, delay, call back up, instruct and contain,
instruct, trifle, planned use of force, spontaneous use of force.
Use decision-making processes and provide a rationale for those decisions for
three given scenarios.
Outcome 3
Use de-escalation techniques on a prisoner.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Employ body language techniques when de-escalating prisoner.
Range
3.2
feet position, distance, in the triangle, hand position, visual
contact.
Employ communication skills when de-escalating prisoner.
Range
active listening, open questions, feedback, asking not telling,
reasonable and interested.
ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
3.3
Employ other de-escalation techniques where appropriate.
may include but is not limited to – reflecting the emotion,
paraphrasing, agreeing with the statement, acknowledging the
reason for anger;
evidence of three is required.
Range
3.4
27289 version 2
Page 4 of 5
Employ relevant techniques continually until prisoner is de-escalated.
Outcome 4
Demonstrate knowledge of and apply instruction techniques using AWOCA.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Explain the five elements of AWOCA.
Range
4.2
Ask, Why, Options, Confirm, Act.
Use AWOCA techniques to instruct a prisoner using clear, unambiguous, and
instructing tone of voice and body language.
Range
all techniques must be used in the correct order.
Planned review date
31 December 2016
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
20 May 2011
N/A
Revision
2
19 January 2012
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0003
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
27289 version 2
Page 5 of 5
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation
reviewcomments@etito.co.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit
standard.
ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016