29 April 2008
The nationwide roll out of waist restraints began today in Prison Services' Central Region.
Chief Custodial Adviser Bryan McMurray says Corrections is committed to safely, securely and humanely transporting prisoners. Waist restraints reduce the ability of prisoners to assault each other by securing their arms to a belt around their waist.
"Waist restraints also protect the safety of the public by further reducing the possibility of escape," says Mr McMurray.
"After a rigorous and thorough trial at Christchurch Men's, Waikeria and Auckland Central Remand Prisons the most suitable waist restraint was selected. The Department has contracted with New Zealand manufacturer Black Scorpion to supply these restraints.
"Waist restraints are due to be rolled out in the Southern and Northern regions on the 5th and 12th of May respectively.
"Prisoners will wear waist restraints in all prisoner escorts around the country unless there is a good reason not to. An exclusion from wearing a restraint will only be given to pregnant, medically exempt prisoners or prisoners travelling in a compartment on their own.
"Waist restraints have been implemented because they provide the best short term response available to the Department against the threat of prisoners assaulting each other.
"To ensure that the Department uses the best possible approach to this issue in the future a thorough review of the Department's vehicle standards is currently underway."
ENDS
Notes to reporter:
A media moment has been arranged at Rimutaka Prison later this week to allow interested journalists to gain some file footage of waist restraints in use. Chief Custodial Adviser Bryan McMurray will be there to answer any general questions that you may have on waist restraints. Media that wish to attend must RSVP to the Communications Service Desk no later that 5pm Wednesday 30 April.
For further information email commdesk@corrections.govt.nz or phone (04) 460 3365.