Media Release

14 February 2007

Rimutaka Report Exposes Management Incompetence

New Zealand law and order spokesperson Ron Mark says a report into allegations of staff corruption at Rimutaka prison may have exonerated many of those accused and denied the existence of systemic corruption, but has exposed glaring failures at management level.

“It is no surprise that the investigators received so many negative comments about management incompetence, and found that senior level management at both Rimutaka and Wellington Regional Prisons is where the changes really need to happen,” said Mr Mark.

“It is an indictment on management that the report claims some corrupt activity has been allowed to occur as a direct result of the existing management culture.

“Many of the findings showed code of conduct breaches rather than instances of corruption, which in itself is a clear indication of a slack, indecisive and ineffective management.

“Claims of bullying by certain managers have been conveniently side-stepped in the report as the main culprit had resigned, and the claims were not investigated.

“Many of the allegations could not be substantiated owing to a lack of officers willing to come forward to testify to the investigating team.

“Can you blame them, when complaints and allegations in the past have been consistently mismanaged and ignored?” asked Mr Mark.

“Head office itself has no idea how to manage its managers, and the most glaring example of their incompetence is the way in which this report was released today to media almost two hours before the minister himself received a copy.”

ENDS

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