Media Release

4 May 2004

A Lion's Den For Female Prison Officers

New Zealand First corrections spokesperson Ron Mark has called for a review of the Government policy of employing female prison officers in male prisons.

Mr Mark today asked the Minister in Parliament how many female prison officers in this Government’s term had been counseled or disciplined for becoming involved in sexual relationships with male inmates.

He said that in yet another case, a female officer was allegedly sexually involved with an inmate at a male prison in Christchurch.

“There has been growing concern over this issue among those at the coal face who are questioning the suitability of women to be supervising killers and sexual predators,” said Mr Mark.

“It is becoming a point of gossip that women should be advised when they apply for a job in a men’s prison that their marriage will not last.

“Already in Labour’s term there have been three female prison officers reported to have had sexual relationships with inmates. One officer has given birth to a convicted rapist’s child.

“Paul Swain seems alarmingly casual about this disturbing state of affairs. He needs to wake up and re-evaluate the appropriateness of throwing women into the lion’s den,” said Mr Mark.

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