Simon Power MP
National Party Justice & Corrections Spokesman

13 April 2007

Gun-shy Corrections failing the public

The Corrections Department is neglecting its public duty when it allows prisoners to dictate which prisons they are held in, says National’s Justice & Corrections spokesman, Simon Power.

He is commenting on a report quoting guards at Rimutaka Prison who say convicted killer Graeme Burton has forced bosses to keep him in Auckland Prison by threatening trouble.

“This is an astounding claim. It seems Corrections is now so risk-averse that it is afraid of its own shadow.

“Last week it was guards being ordered to stand and watch a mini riot at Rimutaka because management feared a public relations backlash over violence if they tried to stop it.

“Today it’s guards saying the ‘lunatics are ruling the asylum’.

“This weak-kneed department seems more concerned with reputational risk than staff safety, and that is very serious.

“The public expects Corrections to run prisons safely, but by allowing prisoners to dictate where they are held, they are compromising that safety.

“Corrections Minister Damien O’Connor must take his department by the scruff of the neck.

“If he does not do that, Helen Clark must replace him.

“Corrections needs strong management and it’s not getting it from this Minister.

“And by needlessly ferrying Graeme Burton between Wellington and Auckland every week or so for court appearances we can see now why Corrections pays out nearly $100,000 a month in transfer costs.”

ENDS

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