Power calls for inquiry into Corrections

National’s Law & Order spokesman, Simon Power, is calling for an inquiry into the Corrections Department.

He is writing to the chairman of the law and order select committee asking for the inquiry, whose terms of reference would include but not be limited to Corrections’ building programme.

“From what I can see Corrections is something of a shambles right now, and I want the inquiry to cover the raft of issues I have been highlighting over the past six to eight weeks.”

Those issues include:

The huge construction budget blow-out.

Deferred maintenance at Mt Eden.

An overcrowding problem that is predicted to continue till 2011.

A rash of escapes and assaults on guards.

Security and design flaws at Christchurch Men’s Prison and Ngawha.

A big increase in smuggling contraband into prisons.

“I look forward to the support of all political parties represented on the select committee, as I am sure they take these matters as seriously as does the public.”

Ends

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