Mahesh Bindra MP

Spokesperson for Corrections
16 DECEMBER 2016

HIGHLY PAID CORRECTIONS BOSS FACES ANOTHER DISASTER

Prison’s boss Ray Smith, just re-appointed on half a million dollars a year, should make haste to Auckland South Corrections Facility - he’s got another potential disaster on his hands.

“The prison is in the explosive range, suffering under the same state of mismanagement as Mt Eden, where fight clubs were normal and banned items were prolific,” says New Zealand First Corrections Spokesperson Mahesh Bindra.

“Mt Eden was out of control under private operator Serco, and the same is happening under the private/public partnership at Auckland South. But, the prisoners are the direct responsibility of Mr Smith.

“Earlier this year, Prime Minister John Key claimed that Mt Eden wasn’t symptomatic of a disastrous programme and he backed private/public partnerships. We disagree.

“The fact is, Serco, and any other private company making money out of prisons, has no place in New Zealand. The government made a big mistake, and cost the taxpayer a fortune in allowing a foreign company in. The prisons-for-profits philosophy resulted in a disaster and yet another disaster is waiting to happen.

“New Zealand First has raised the issues in Parliament, including understaffing, inadequate staff-to-prisoner ratios, lack of crime prevention machinery, stand overs by prisoners and staff safety.

“Our concerns have been dismissed by the government each time. Former Minister Sam Lotu-Iga has gone, but little has changed.

“The mismanagement of the massive prison population, an embarrassment for this country internationally, will be a hallmark of the National government.”

Bindra, Mahesh: Oral Questions — Staffing ratios

Bindra, Mahesh: Oral Questions — Serco staffing

Bindra, Mahesh: Oral Questions — Confidence in Serco

ENDS

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