Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 


Elaborate ruse to escape foiled by staff

Friday, 20 August 2010, 12:29 pm
Press Release: Department Of Corrections

Elaborate ruse to escape foiled by staff

Quick action from a staff member at Auckland Central Remand Prison earlier this week foiled a prisoner’s plan to escape from custody.

The staff member intercepted information suggesting the prisoner was going to pretend to be unwell, hoping for an escort to hospital, on Tuesday evening.

“The prisoner thought a trip to hospital would provide him the chance to escape from Corrections Officers. He had colluded with his gang associates and they were supposed to be waiting at the hospital to help him,” says Assistant Regional Manager Grace Smit.

“The officer involved took what they heard as a very real and genuine risk to safety, and immediately alerted prison management. Our Operational Intelligence team were able to listen to a number of the prisoners recent phone calls which corroborated the officer’s information. Prison Health Services staff were briefed on the ruse so that an escort to hospital could be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Later that day the prisoner notified staff that he was feeling unwell. He was assessed by Health Unit staff but remained in his cell for the night under close observation incase he was genuinely unwell. Police searched hospital for the armed men who were to assist the prisoner, but nothing untoward was found.

“This particular prisoner is due to be sentenced for previously conspiring to escape lawful custody, so he’s dedicated. Most prisoners in our custody accept that they are in prison. The majority don’t like it, but realise that attempting to escape will only compound they trouble they are in.”

“Due to this event, we have looked at closely at his management and decided that due to the risk he poses, he will be moved to maximum security at Auckland Prison.”

“The officer that alerted us to the situation did an excellent job, and the swift response from the prison meant we were able to manage the situation safely and protect the safety of the public and our escorting staff. Our focus now is on assisting Police with their enquiries as they look at pressing criminal charges again the prisoner, and ensuring that any further chance he has to escape is minimised.”



ENDS

 
 
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

NEW ZEALAND POLITICS > >


 

Elections: Time Running Out to Take Part in Electoral Commission’s MMP Review

Time is running out to have your say on improvements you’d like to see made to our MMP voting system. With only two weeks to go until the first consultation period of the MMP Review closes, the Electoral Commission has received more than 3700 submissions ... More >>


Christchurch: More Green Zoning And More Red Zoning

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced the final decision in almost 11 months of flat land residential zoning in Canterbury…

“It brings the number of residential properties zoned red because they are unsuitable for residential occupation to 7256.” More >>

Gerry Brownlee also announced the green zoning of 421 residential properties in the Port Hills, leaving 1679 houses still under review. More>>

ALSO:


Budget 2012: Squeezing Every Drop Out Of A Zero Budget
The Government is trying to squeeze every drop of publicity out of its ``Zero Budget’’ ahead of its delivery next Thursday.More >>

Gordon Campbell On the Politics of Austerity: Later this month, New Zealand will be subjected to its second austerity Budget in a row. Zero budgeting is being presented as the only path of virtue. This is despite the fact that - elsewhere in the real world - it has been a very bad week indeed for the politics of austerity.More >>
Also

  • Business.Desk - Smokes, booze and property tax breaks prime targets for Budget
  • Labour - User Pays Plan Confirms Failure
  • Labour - Cuts to classes result of government failure
  • ACT - Performance Based Pay for Teachers Long Overdue

  • Budget 2012: Recovery of Canterbury on Track
  • Budget 2012 - Prescription Charges Help Fund Health
  • Budget 2012: Education – Larger Classes For More Money
  • Budget 2012: $144m more for disability support

    • Housing: Social Housing Money Handed Out
    People in need will get the most benefit from Government funding for new housing projects, to be developed by non-government providers. Housing Minister Phil Heatley has announced the successful applicants to the $25.3 million Social Housing Unit ... More >>

    ALSO:

    Budget 2012: Prescription Charges Help Fund Health
    Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced the Government will increase the $3 prescription charge to $5 per item up to a maximum of 20 items from 1 January 2013. The savings will be reinvested in the health sector. More >>
    Also:

    Court of Appeal: Govt Should Pay Family Caregivers
    The victory in the Court of Appeal for families caring for disabled family members should be taken notice of by the Government says Green MP Catherine DelahuntyMore >>

    ALSO:

    Police: 120 Positions Axed In Fine Tuning
    The New Zealand Police budget will not be cut this coming financial year but the organisation is planning some modest reductions in non-sworn support staff to live within its means, the Commissioner of Police, Peter Marshall, said. More >>

    Also:

    LATEST HEADLINES

    More RSS  RSS
     
    More RSS  RSS News AlertsNews Alerts
     
     
     
    Regional
    Search Scoop  
     
     
    powered by newsagent
    NZ independent news