Simon Power MP
National Party Justice & Corrections Spokesman

28 March 2007

Prison managers turning a blind eye must be sacked

The Corrections Minister must demand that immediate action be taken against prison managers who allow the smuggling of contraband to prisoners to help keep the peace, says National’s Justice & Corrections spokesman, Simon Power.

“Turning a blind eye to the smuggling of contraband is disgraceful. It is repugnant to the administering of justice.”

He is commenting on claims by a former guard that middle managers at Rimutaka Prison are ‘condoning’ the smuggling of contraband in an effort to ‘buy good behaviour’.

“There is no place in our prison system for staff who constantly turn a blind eye to the smuggling of drugs, cellphones and alcohol, and to allowing conjugal rights, just to keep the peace.

“Prisons are places of punishment and rehabilitation, not where management makes it easier for guards by turning a blind eye to the smuggling of contraband.

“People are sent to prison to have some of their liberties taken away from them, not to have them enhanced by a management tool that makes life easier for staff.

“It is further compelling evidence – as if we needed it – that Corrections is in desperate need of a massive overhaul.

“The problem is that I am not at all confident that the present Government and the present Minister and the present CEO seem to realise the extent of the problem, let alone have the will or the ability to fix it.”

ENDS

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