Sensible Sentencing Backs Minister Collins on “No Gangs in Prisons” Stance

7th July 2016

“People need to understand that this is not a personal attack on any one person, it is a stance we are taking in saying that patched gang members and/or associates of gangs must not ever be allowed to work with prisoners in any way shape or form”. Guthrie

Minister Collin’s is today standing by a Dept of Corrections review into the matter, and says it's not about a particular person - it's a matter of principle. The Minister of Corrections stated that it's not acceptable that people who are active gang members, who obviously view their patch as very important to them, are going to have access to our prisoners.

“You don’t have to look far to see the death and destruction that gangs cause in our community and to even remotely suggest that any gang member or their associate should be allowed to work inside a prison is against what the majority of the public believe “Guthrie

A Taranaki iwi, Ngati Ruanui, who work closely with Ngapari Nui said he doesn't wear a patch and doesn't engage in illegal behaviour or do drugs or drink; he's what we call a life member and I can't recall the last time I saw him wearing a patch," Ngati Ruanui Kaiarataki Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said.

“Debbie Packer needs to wake up and smell the roses. This is the real world and she needs to understand what it is exactly that Black Power stands for because I can tell you they don’t stand for much that is law abiding and there is no way any gang member whether Mongrel Mob, Hells Angels, Head Hunters, Black Power or any or other gang, patched or non-patched, should be working in prisons with prisoners”. Guthrie

"If Mr Nui had any clue at all he would front the media himself and make a public statement instead of hiding behind Iwi or is that because he has something to hide."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/81820254/Chester-Borrows-backs-prison-volunteer-stood-down-by-Judith-Collins-for-gang-links

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