26 February 2013

Media Statement

Corrections Amendment Bill passes third reading

Corrections Minister Anne Tolley says a Bill which improves prison safety and security has passed its third reading in Parliament.

The Corrections Amendment Bill improves drug testing and searching procedures in prisons, and makes it an offence to “waterload”, or drink a lot of liquid, to attempt to dilute a drug test.

The Bill also strengthens contraband regulations, to make tobacco and smoking items illegal on prison grounds.

“This legislation reinforces the smoking ban in prisons, which has been a great success in delivering a healthier work environment for staff, and for prisoners,” says Mrs Tolley.

“It also simplifies the procedures around the strip searching of prisoners, which is essential for recovering weapons and contraband.

“Our Corrections staff are completely focused on delivering a 25 per reduction in reoffending each year by 2017.

“We are now enabling them to do that with much clearer procedures in a safer and healthier workplace.”

ends

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"Unlawful, Unjustified And Unreasonable": Report Into Urewera Raids Finds Police Acted Unlawfully

Independent Police Conduct Authority Chair Judge Sir David Carruthers said today that the decision by the then Commissioner of Police to undertake the operation in Ruatoki Valley and elsewhere on 15 October 2007 was reasonable and justified.

“However, the road blocks established by Police at Ruatoki and Taneatua were unlawful, unjustified and unreasonable... Police had no legal basis for stopping and searching vehicles or photographing drivers or passengers,” he said...

The report also showed that the detention of the occupants at five properties examined by the Authority was unlawful and unreasonable. More>>