More problems in Corrections
Simon Power
National Party Law & Order Spokesman
23 November 2006
More problems in Corrections
National Party Law & Order spokesman Simon Power says claims that prison officers barter goods with inmates, and an incident of an officer taking contraband into prison, are further evidence that the Corrections Department has deep problems.
He is commenting on a report that a former officer, who was sacked after taking videos from home to watch on nightshift and a packet of bacon for an inmate who was having a cook-up, claims staff regularly bartered with inmates for favours.
The woman claimed:
- Her offence was low-end to what officers and senior staff were doing.
- Staff took in food and videos, and let prisoners make personal phone calls.
- A senior officer took his inmates a Christmas cake made by his wife to ‘keep the peace’ on the floor.
In a separate incident, a female officer has been stood down after allegedly taking contraband into Christchurch Men's Prison.
“It is very worrying when the most basic of rules are broken, and this is clearly a result of low morale among prison officers under this Government.
“The amount of contraband has reached an all-time high, and Corrections Minister Damien O’Connor must give his full assurance that everything possible is being done to halt the flow, however it goes in.
“This looks like another example of the management shambles that the Corrections Department has descended into under this Minister and this Government.”
ENDS