30 August 2006

The following statement from the Department of Corrections is regarding a story in today's Dominion Post

Please attribute to General Manager Public Prisons Service Harry Hawthorn:

We have investigated the allegations which appeared in the Dominion Post this morning regarding the assault of a prisoner on the way to court on Friday.

We have confirmed that no assault of a prisoner as described in the newspaper occurred in a Department of Corrections vehicle, or whilst in the Department of Corrections custody.

It does appear that such an assault did occur in a police vehicle. With the exception of the Greater Auckland Region, the transportation of prisoners to and from court is shared by Corrections and the Police throughout the rest of the country.

I will be ensuring that Prison Managers work with local police to ensure that such incidents are notified immediately.

ENDS

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