Acting Chief Executive Katrina Casey says the Department welcomes the Office of the Ombudsmen's decision to investigate the current practices and procedures relating to the detention and treatment of inmates at Canterbury (Paparua) and Auckland (Paremoremo) prisons.
"The Department fully supports this initiative. The Office of the Ombudsmen has a key role as the external prisons complaints agency. In addition to the Department's independent Prison Inspectorate, the Ombudsmen's Office has dedicated resources to undertake a regular programme of prison visits and deal with inmate complaints.
Ms Casey says the initiative demonstrates the existing complaints and independent review mechanisms at work.
"Following on from the conclusion of the State Services Commissioner's Inquiry into the Canterbury Emergency Response Unit and media interest in the Behaviour Management Regime and the 1998 disturbance at Auckland Prison, we believe the Ombudsmen's initiative will assist the Department and other interested parties to move forward, and allay any residual public concern over inmate treatment at these prisons."
ENDS
Please note: The Department of Corrections will not be commenting further on the Office of the Ombudsmen's initiative.