RON MARK MP
Media Release
19 August 2005
Penny Pinching Government Fails Prisons
New Zealand First corrections spokesperson Ron Mark says some of Dr Cullen’s hidden millions could have been used to
avoid the staffing and beds crisis that has plagued our prisons.
“For four years we have been saying that prisons are understaffed and corrections officers are underpaid. Instead of
addressing the problems by paying a decent entry grade salary, Labour’s penny pinching ways have resulted in a failure
to attract high quality staff,” said Mr Mark.
“While Scrooge Cullen has been busy hiding his cash under the mattress, Corrections have been forced to turn to Samoa to
recruit prison officers on the cheap rather than pay decent wages to attract Kiwis into the job or encourage serving
officers to stay.
“The government needs to compensate officers for the stress and danger that accompany their everyday duties and for the
increased workloads placed on them by the Integrated Offender Management System.
“Paying a salary commensurate with those factors would attract more recruits and the low officer to prisoner ratio could
be addressed.
“Meanwhile the PSA has rolled over and signed a very cosy but ineffective agreement with the government that prevents it
negotiating forcefully for its members.
“Those members now know that the only way they are going to be heard is by voting for New Zealand First,” concluded Mr
Mark.
ENDS