Asenati Lole-Taylor MP

New Zealand First Spokesperson for

Corrections
August 29, 2014

Claims of an Inquiry at Rehabilitation Centre

Allegations have surfaced that Whare Oranga Ake Prison rehabilitation centre in Hawkes Bay is under investigation, says New Zealand First.

“It is alleged that prisoners in Whare Oranga Ake in Hawke’s Bay have been asked to lie about what is happening at the centre,” says Spokesperson for Corrections Asenati Lole-Taylor.

“Serious questions need to be answered about what is going on in Hawke’s Bay and why the investigation is being misled.

“Whare Oranga Ake rehabilitation service, primarily run by contracted service providers, was introduced to tackle the high number of Maori prisoners reoffending.

“These new allegations against Whare Oranga Ake call into question whether the service has been effective in achieving what was expected of it.

“The Government allocated nearly $20 million to the Whare Oranga Ake programme in 2010, so what has it delivered for the community?

“This ongoing funding comes out of the taxpayers’ pocket.

“New Zealanders have the right to know if these contractors are doing their job properly in our prisons, and why they are trying to misdirect the investigation,” says Mrs Lole-Taylor.

“The Minister of Corrections needs to get to the bottom of this. She should front up if there is corruption involved rather than sweep it under the carpet.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media