Statement from Paul Mahoney, Managing Director, Civil Government, Serco Asia Pacific re. joint review into escape from Mount Eden Corrections Facility (MECF)

Serco Managing Director Paul Mahoney said:

“We have taken this escape extremely seriously. Following the incident, we quickly strengthened our operational security and worked with the Department to ensure that improvements were also made to physical security.

“I am confident that the joint review into the escape has been thorough and endorses the action we have both taken so far. We will continue to work closely on implementing the recommendations of the joint review and monitoring the enhancements that are made.

“While this important work continues, we are also beginning to see good results in other areas of prison operation. Despite running the busiest Corrections Facility in New Zealand, the team at Mount Eden has halved occurrences of aggressive behaviour in the Receiving Office. There has been no self-harm in our Care, Support and Integration unit for vulnerable prisoners in its eight-month existence. MECF’s Responsible Prisoner Model encourages prisoners to work constructively with staff, and the prison kaupapa focuses on mutual respect. All these innovations are part of our work to rehabilitate offenders and make communities safer.”

ends

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