Sharper practice on razor blades

A new Corrections policy that limits prisoners' access to razors will improve staff safety and reduce self-harm in prison.

From May 2009, no high security, remand or youth prisoners have been able to keep razors in their cells. Instead, when they want to shave, they are issued with a single-use safety razor for an hour. Within the hour, a corrections officer collects, checks and disposes of the razor.

The change is in-line with the existing policy for prisoners in ‘At Risk’ units, who are considered likely to harm themselves. When these prisoners shave they are issued a razor, then closely monitored by a corrections officer who stands beside them to ensure they do not harm themselves.

Prison Services Assistant General Manager Dr Brendan Anstiss says the change in policy for high security, remand and youth prisoners is backed up by a pilot study done in 2008.

“We did the study to ensure that restricting access to razors did in fact mean we had fewer incidents – which it did – and to monitor any unintended consequences, such as an increase in the use of other implements for self-harming.”

“Self harm and suicide in prison is a major issue worldwide. Mental disorders and illnesses are up to five times more prevalent among prisoners than in the general population and it is very difficult to stop someone who is set on harming themselves,” says Brendan.

“The suicide rate in New Zealand prisons has fallen nearly 60 per cent in recent years, but we are determined to further reduce the rate of suicide and self harm.”

In 2007, there were 272 razor blade incidents in prisons. The majority of incidents occurred in high security units and 107 incidents involved self harm. Twenty-eight incidents involved razor blades that had been fashioned into weapons. On three occasions razor blades were used against a staff member or other prisoner.