What's going on at HB Prison, Minister?

Stephen Franks
Monday, 27 June 2005
Press Releases - Crime & Justice

ACT Corrections spokesman Stephen Franks today called on the Corrections Minister to explain why inmates at Hawke's Bay prison received KFC as a reward for allowing a search of their cells.

Mr Franks was commenting on a media report, which has revealed that 60 inmates received KFC despite the search turning up drugs, cannabis- smoking utensils, cellphones and crude homemade weapons.

"Minister Paul Swain owes the public an explanation for this latest example of Labour's soft-on-crime approach," Mr Franks said.

"Labour is sending a message to inmates that even if they're caught red handed with contraband they will be rewarded as long as they cooperate with the authorities. That's wrong.

"Instead of rewarding inmates for doing what ought to be absolutely routine, they should lose their coffee, TVs and hot showers until they start playing by Corrections' rules - not their own.

"ACT has a plan to stop treating criminals like victims. Negotiating with thugs and bullies just tells them that they're the boss. We will put an end to this nonsense," Mr Franks said.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>