25 September 2003
In response to claims published today in the Dominion Post and Christchurch Press regarding the former Emergency Response Unit (ERU) at Paparua Prison, please attribute the following to Phil McCarthy, General Manager, Public Prison Service:
“There is only one inmate claim that is currently the subject of legal proceedings in relation to the ERU. The department is not in a position to comment in detail on any case currently before the Court other than to say the allegations are denied and the claim will be vigorously defended.
“This proceeding was scheduled to be heard in October but has been adjourned following an application on behalf of the plaintiff.
“In addition one payment was made some years ago to an inmate arising from a 1999 strip search incident. That settlement was reached without any admission of liability on the part of the Department, and the payment was significantly less than the legal costs the Department would have incurred litigating the claim.
“Contrary to the press reports, no payments have been made to any other inmate in relation to actions by members of the ERU, whether in respect of ‘night raids at Paparua’ or otherwise
“We reiterate that no other claims related to the former ERU have been accepted or settled, or are currently outstanding.”