Media Release

10 February 2004

Corrections Corrupt, Come Clean Says Mark

New Zealand First corrections spokesperson Ron Mark has spoken out again over the corruption within the Corrections department after the statistics of drug use within prisons was released today.

“Drug use in prisons was high but it did not tell the full story. Corrections staff have been told to not test recidivist offenders for drugs in order to keep the statistics as low as possible”, said Mr Mark.

“The latest statistics are only the tip of the iceberg, and whilst shocking, they do not tell the full story on drug use in prisons. The level of drug use within prisons is much higher than we are led to believe.” Mr Mark said.

“Corrections rig the random testing by ensuring that recidivist offenders are not tested as thoroughly as those assumed drug free. They do this to ensure that the level of drug use is not as statistically high as it might otherwise be.

“Criminals are sent to jail as punishment, yet they are allowed to carry on their illicit drug use within the prison walls because the department responsible for their incarceration is corrupt ”, Mr Mark said.

“The culture of corruption within this department needs to be eradicated, the public needs to have faith in the corrections department as it is responsible in housing the nations most dangerous criminals, “ concluded Mr Mark.

ENDS

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