As planned, the nationwide waist restraints roll-out began on April 28 in the Prison Services' Central Region stretching from South Waikato through to Manawatu-Wanganui.
Waist restraints reduce the prisoners' ability to assault each other by securing their wrists to a belt around their waist.
Chief Custodial Adviser Bryan McMurray says Corrections is committed to safely, securely and humanely transporting prisoners. Waist restraints will help the Department achieve this.
"Waist restraints also protect public safety by further reducing the possibility of escapes," says Bryan.
"The most suitable waist restraint was selected following a rigorous and thorough trial at Christchurch Men's, Waikeria and Auckland Central Remand Prisons.
"The Department has contracted New Zealand manufacturer Black Scorpion to supply them."
Waist restraints were rolled out in the Prison Services Southern and Northern regions on 5 and 12 May respectively.
Prisoners will wear waist restraints in all prisoner escorts around the country unless there is a good reason not to. An exclusion from wearing a restraint will only be given to pregnant and medically exempt prisoners or prisoners travelling in a compartment on their own.
"Waist restraints provide the best short-term response available to the Department against the threat of prisoners assaulting each other," says Bryan.
"A thorough review of the Department’s vehicle standards is also underway to ensure that the Department uses the best possible approach to this issue in the future."
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ISSN 1178-8453