Wellington, Feb 17 NZPA - A law designed to ease financial pressure on victims of crime who receive legal aid to attend coronial inquests and parole hearings comes into force today.

Wellington, Dec 10 NZPA - Parliament has passed a law change designed to ease the financial pressure on victims of crime who receive legal aid to attend inquests and parole hearings.

Wellington, Nov 26 NZPA - Taxpayers have so far footed a $12,342.50 legal aid bill for double murderer Graeme Burton's unsuccessful defence of a charge of attempting to murder a fellow prison inmate.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, Oct 16 NZPA - Government assistance announced today for families of murder victims goes nowhere near far enough, the father of murder victim Karl Kuchenbecker says.

By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, Oct 14 NZPA - A Chief Probation Officer role will be created to oversee a revamp of the Community Probation Service (CPS).

Wellington, Aug 12 NZPA - The probation service's compliance with procedures for managing parolees has improved significantly, Corrections Minister Judith Collins said today.

Wellington, June 12 NZPA - Prisoner release teams aimed at helping prisoners reintegrate into society were launched today following condemnation of the parole process by the Auditor-General.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, May 1 NZPA - An expert panel monitoring work to improve the performance of the probation service is looking at streamlining procedures and policies, ensuring staff have the right tools and looking at how performance is monitored.

Wellington, April 3 NZPA - An amendment to the Legal Services Act will mean all crime victims will get financial support to attend coronial inquests and Parole Board hearings, Justice Minister Simon Power says.

Wellington, March 25 NZPA - It will take more money and time to bring the Corrections Department up to scratch, State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie said today.