9. JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) Link to this
to the Minister of Corrections
Has she received any reports that indicate the level of drug use in the country’s prisons?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Corrections) Link to this
Yes. Random drug-testing over the last 9 months indicates that the level of drug use in our jails has dropped to its lowest level since 1998. The figures show that positive results have dropped to 10 percent across all prisoners tested throughout the country. Half of New Zealand’s prisons have rates of 10 percent or less, with two prisons having no positive results so far this year. Those prisons are Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility and Christchurch Women’s Prison.
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Yes. One of the main reasons is that legislation passed by this Government has allowed for the monitoring of prisoners’ phone calls and mail. This has enabled the Department of Corrections to more effectively target those responsible for smuggling drugs. Twelve drug-dog teams across New Zealand regularly search visitors and their vehicles, prisoners’ cells, and incoming mail. I was very impressed by the skills they demonstrated this morning at the national police dog championships. The results also reflect the Government’s commitment to doubling the number of places available for prisoners to undertake treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.