Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Alexander: prison union monopoly crushes options

Monday, 27 September 2004

Alexander: prison union monopoly crushes options

United Future law & order spokesman Marc Alexander says the current debacle over housing convicts in overcrowded prisons shows how urgent the need is to introduce competition into the Corrections Service.

“We have an increase of around 200 inmates – representing just 2.8% of the total prison population - and the prison officers’ union has decided not to deal with them sensibly. It’s not that they can’t, but that they won’t,” he says.

“We have the beds to double bunk prisoners, as they do overseas…the General Manager Phil McCarthy has asked for it…they’ve offered the staff a premium of $26 per shift to do it…but in the absence of any competition, the union has issued a big ‘nyet comrade’!”

“That’s the problem when you only have one provider of services to our prison system and underscores why we need a countervailing private management of prisons.

“The union has an effective monopoly and can get away with acting like a prima donna at the expense of commonsense and sound judgement.

“What constructive choices does the prison officers’ union suggest? Those criminals who shouldn’t be let out, let out to ease the artificially created overcrowding? That police prison cells be filled to hamper ongoing police work? Or that we just stop catching new offenders?” asked Mr Alexander.

ENDS


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting 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.

© Scoop Media

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


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages 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.