Asenati Lole-Taylor MP
Spokesperson for Corrections
22 August 2012

Bring All Prisons Back Under Full Justice Ministry Control

New Zealand First is calling on the Government to dump foreign-owned contractor Serco from running Mt Eden Corrections Facility and bring the prison service back under full Justice Ministry control.

Corrections spokesperson Asenati Lole-Taylor says Serco’s latest $150,000 fine for allowing a prisoner to escape is symptomatic of the declining standards created by this Public-Private Partnership.

“The Government has traded reduced service standards in return for Serco becoming a cash cow which hands over money every time a prisoner escapes from Mt Eden prison.

“This cosy deal also allows the Government to deflect criticism by simply offering up hollow promises that Serco will one day improve its service.”

Ms Lole-Taylor is also concerned that the Government has confirmed Serco will run the new prison planned for Wiri in South Auckland.

“Serco can’t even get it right at an established prison like Mt Eden. What sort of job they will do at a new facility is anybody’s guess.”

ENDS

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