16 August 2007
The Department of Corrections today announced the testing of waist restraints has started at Rimutaka Prison.
Chief Executive Barry Matthews says waist restraints have been identified as an effective tool to ensure prisoners are transported as safely, securely and humanely as possible.
“Waist restraints will restrict the movement of a prisoner’s arms and hands, and therefore, considerably reduce the risk of prisoners harming themselves, assaulting other prisoners, or attacking staff,” says Mr Matthews.
“This week we are testing a variety of waist restraints on staff at Rimutaka Prison. Further trials will be undertaken with prisoners at Christchurch Men’s, Waikeria and Auckland Prisons.”
“These trials will allow Corrections to assess the different restraints and decide which best meet our needs, develop the policies on who will be restrained, how the restraints will be applied and what will happen during food and water breaks.”
Mr Matthews says the Corrections Act and Corrections Regulations allow Corrections to use waist restraints and comply with the United Nations’ Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
“Waist restraints do no limit the use of a prisoner’s arms and hands in an undignified manner and do not cause discomfort or pain to a prisoner.
“To ensure the safety of all prisoners it is intended that all prisoners will be restrained during transportation unless there is a good reason not to.”
The Department plans to be using waist restraints across the prison service by the end of the year.
Corrections is also testing improvements to transport procedures in conjunction with the waist restraints trials.
“The improved transport procedures will address most of the recommendations contained in the Ombudsmen’s Own Motion Investigation into Prisoner Transportation, including developing operational policy for food and water stops, toilet breaks, exercise and vehicle temperatures.
“We are also investigating vehicle standards that, when developed, can be applied immediately to the existing transport vehicles. These standards will apply until final national standards, including how escort vehicles should be designed in the future to meet long-term requirements, are developed.
“We are taking our responsibility to securely transport prisoners seriously and these changes will enhance the safety of both prisoners and staff as well as the public.”
ENDS
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