11. JILL PETTIS (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Corrections
What steps is the Government taking to restrict the use of cellphones in prisons?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Corrections) Link to this
Today the Department of Corrections has signed a formal agreement that provides the department with the ability to block the use of cellphones in prisons. The deal is a world first. Technology solutions will roll out nationwide, starting within 6 weeks at Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison. Between 20 and 30 available technologies have been tested, and we now have a range of solutions that can be implemented across the prison system.
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I am glad that question was asked. Preventing cellphones and other contraband items from entering prisons, and apprehending those who do attempt to smuggle them in, have been amongst my highest priorities. I am about to introduce amendments to the Corrections Act that will boost search powers and stiffen penalties for anyone who is foolish enough to bring communications devices, drugs, or weapons into prisons. We already have intelligence-gathering systems in each and every prison. We have doubled the number of drug-dog teams. We have 17 kilometres of new security fencing around our prisons. We have shifted towards a single point of entry at all our prison sites. We are moving on this international challenge.
Simon PowerHon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
The Department of Corrections will be working with the telecommunications companies to ensure that cellphone jamming technology will be used as long as it does not interfere with legitimate cellphone users. It is possible to use it at Mount Eden Prison, I am told, and the Department of Corrections will work with the companies to ensure that that can happen.
Ron MarkDoes the Minister not agree with New Zealand First’s view that part of the problem we have with cellphone usage in prisons and the smuggling of them into prisons has been the “wet bus ticket” approach that has been taken towards inmates who have been found to be in possession of cellphones; if he does agree that past approaches have been of the “wet bus ticket” types—that is, no extra sentencing; no extra prison term—what will he do about that in the future?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
We are moving to amend the Corrections Act to ensure that anyone who is in possession of a cellphone on a cell site without full authorisation will be prosecuted, be that person a staff member, a visitor, or a prisoner, and that such a prisoner will receive an extended prison term if he or she is prosecuted.