21 August
Four corrections officers from Rimutaka Prison received Special Commendation Awards yesterday acknowledging their courage while on the job.
Corrections Chief Executive Barry Matthews says Senior Corrections Officer Louise Davies and Corrections Officers Peter Hoare, Maumau Paulo and Patricia Smith all showed incredible selflessness when intervening in two separate incidents at the prison.
“I must congratulate Louise, Peter, Maumau and Patricia for displaying such acts of distinction. All four officers thought nothing of their personal safety, putting the immediate need of others above their own.
“During the first incident in January 2007 Louise was escorting a prisoner back to his cell when a group of other prisoners attacked him. Louise immediately placed herself between this prisoner and the attackers in an attempt to protect him, receiving several serious wounds for her effort.
“As soon as Peter and Maumau realised what was happening they bravely tried to assist Louise but were held back and assaulted as well. Both suffered injuries.”
Mr Matthews says Patricia also displayed a selfless act of courage when going to the aid of a colleague during a separate incident earlier this year.
“Prisoners were assaulting another officer and once Patricia called for assistance, she stepped in attempting to stop it. She managed to separate the prisoners from the officer preventing what could have been a much more serious situation.
“Our prisons house many of the countries most violent and difficult prisoners. Our staff work hard to provide a safe environment, but given the nature of prisoners, incidents can and do occur quickly and without warning.
“Corrections staff around the country work tirelessly in a sometimes-challenging environment to achieve this. These four have certainly earned my respect for meeting that challenge the way they did.
“Louise, Peter, Maumau and Patricia each displayed exceptional courage, initiative and skill and I’m pleased that I can honour this with my Special Commendation Award.
It is the Department’s mission to improve public safety and to reduce re-offending. The Chief Executive’s Special Commendation Awards have been recently initiated to recognise the times when Corrections staff display exceptional behaviour.
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