9. SIMON POWER (National—Rangitikei) Link to this
to the Minister of Corrections
Does he have confidence in his department; if so, why?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Corrections) Link to this
Yes, but there is always room for improvement.
How can he have confidence in his department when someone as senior as the Wellington regional prisons manager, Dave East, who only 2 weeks ago was fronting to the media regarding allegations that four guards had allowed a convicted rapist to have a conjugal visit, has himself now been suspended for allegedly stymying investigations, bullying staff, and giving preferential treatment to his wife and three children as employees of the department?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I am aware of a number of allegations that have been made. There is currently an investigation under way. That person is under investigation not for corruption but for other inappropriate issues and actions around the prison. I am not prepared to prejudge the outcome.
Ron MarkDoes it not, in fact, increase the public’s confidence in the Department of Corrections when in the short space of about 4 weeks, an anti-corruption team having been launched that was given the task of rooting out corruption and finding areas of incompetence, we have seen 11 officers suspended and we now see a manager—showing that no favour is being given to those of senior rank—also suspended and facing charges; does that not give some confidence that the investigations in hand are producing results?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
It is about time the National Party acknowledged that we will investigate, identify, follow through on, and prosecute anyone who does not abide by the law or protocol within the Department of Corrections.
Does the Minister stand by his statement to the House that claims that corruption at Rimutaka Prison does not go on without the knowledge of management were “ridiculous”, when an ex-employee has described management’s attempts to stifle dissent as “mafia-like”, when one of those currently under scrutiny by the corruption investigation is a unit manager, and when a current guard says: “It hasn’t stopped because of this. It’s just gone underground. They haven’t got the really big fish.”?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I do not accept that for a moment, but Mr Patten is carrying out an independent investigation at Rimutaka Prison. He will identify any areas of inappropriate or illegal behaviour, and we will follow through and prosecute anyone, be they at senior management level or be they a prison officer.
How could a second prisoner, Arthur Taylor, allegedly father a child from inside without help from prison staff, when he was able to pass a container to his wife, or should we not be surprised, as Taylor himself said last year that when he first arrived at Rimutaka Prison he was approached by guards offering their services, saying: “Do you need anything, Arthur?”
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I am not about to give that member a lesson in biology. I would suggest that he take on board the fact that Arthur Taylor is a lying, scheming, violent, manipulative person who has been convicted of many, many crimes, and if that is where that member gets his advice from, I suggest he change his sources.
Hon Phil GoffMr Goff might want to hear this. Is he at all concerned that it appears that a high proportion of key staff in the department are in relationships with other staff?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I do not consider that the few staff in the department who have relationships with other staff is a high proportion. I am aware of the situation, and senior management have been informed. There is not a large number, and wherever it has occurred the issue has been made quite public.