Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Gutting of prison jobs a gift to private prison provider

Proposed gutting of prison jobs a gift to private prison provider


The Public Service Association (PSA) says a Department of Corrections proposal to cut more than 260 jobs at Waikeria, Tongariro/Rangipo and Rimutaka Prisons is privatisation by stealth that will hurt provincial New Zealand.

Erin Polaczuk, PSA national secretary, said “This is the biggest slashing of jobs at Corrections in recent memory, including 50% of jobs at Waikeria prison,”

“The new private prison at Wiri in South Auckland is being used to justify cutting public service jobs, despite the fact that private prisons are run for profit rather than rehabilitation.

“Replacing stable public service jobs in provincial New Zealand with lower-quality private sector jobs in Auckland is a bad step for the Government to be taking.

“Private prisons are worse for staff and prisoners in terms of safety, and focus on profit and filling beds rather than rehabilitation and protection.

“Corrections’ goal of reducing reoffending by 25% will be made more difficult by this shifting of public funds into private hands.

“We will be vigorously arguing against this proposal on behalf of our 260 members at these three prisons,” said Erin Polaczuk.

ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.