Jason Palmer - a tragic loss

It was a sad day for Corrections and the country following the tragic death of Corrections Officer Jason Palmer at Middlemore Hospital in May.

Jason suffered a serious assault when a prisoner he and two colleagues were unlocking spontaneously threw a punch which knocked Jason unconscious. Jason fell backwards, hitting his head on the concrete courtyard.

Jason came to New Zealand from the United States eight years ago and had been a Corrections Officer at Spring Hill since November last year. He was described as keen to learn, with high integrity and was firm but fair with prisoners.
 
Jason was held in high regard by his fellow officers and will be sadly missed by colleagues at Spring Hill Corrections Facility (SHCF). Although only working at the prison for six months, Jason had been planning to advance his career with his Principal Corrections Officer. He wanted to move through the ranks to Senior Corrections Officer in time.

Condolences and deepest sympathies have been offered to Jason’s wife, Tracy, the couple’s young children and the wider Palmer family during this difficult time.

Apart from the Police investigation, inquiries by Prison Services, the Department of Labour and the Ombudsman will look at all the factors that led up to the attack on Jason, and how we responded at the time. The findings and recommendations will provide us with the opportunity to see what can be learnt and whether changes need to be made at all prison sites.

The Department has arranged for Jason’s mother and three brothers from Virginia, in the United States, to attend his funeral.

“We are keen to do everything we can to ensure Tracy has the support she needs during this time,” says Barry Matthews, Chief Executive “I can only imagine the terrible sense of loss Jason’s family must be experiencing.”

A fund has been set up to provide welfare for Jason’s young family. Donations can be made to ‘Jason Palmer – Support Family’ account number 02-0536-0137179-00 via internet banking or visiting a BNZ branch.

All of us in Corrections grieve for the passing of Jason Palmer.

Rest in peace, CO Palmer.