24 June
The Department of Corrections announced that frontline corrections officers will be receiving increased communications and de-escalation training, and that further items of personal protective equipment (PPE) will be made available to selected staff in specific situations.
“The Department is committed to improving staff safety. A project has been underway since late 2008 which has researched what training and equipment would enhance the safety of our staff,” says Assistant General Manager Brendan Anstiss.
“Although assaults against staff are rare, they do occur on occasion. We take all assaults against staff seriously and need to ensure that our staff are as well trained and protected as they can be while still doing their job. Corrections officers work in a tough environment and many prisoners have long histories of antisocial and violent behaviour.
“The research that we have undertaken has confirmed that their greatest tool in any confrontation or incident is their verbal communications skills. This is why we are investing in further communication and de-escalation training for staff.
"We will be providing three additional days of training in communication and de-escalation skills to approximately 3,500 custodial staff. This training will also be incorporated into the existing 6 week initial training course for all corrections officers.
"We also recognise that in some situations staff will need additional protective equipment to ensure their safety. The Department will be providing staff with access to four additional items of personal protective equipment.
"Stab resistant body armour, spit hoods, batons and pepper spray will be made available to staff in specific situations. In instances such as high risk escorts or planned control and restraint of prisoners staff will be able to access the new PPE,” says Dr Anstiss.
“We will be ensuring that this PPE is introduced alongside clear guidelines for its use and further training for staff. The introduction of spit hoods and pepper spray into prisons will require Cabinet approval and a legislative change.
“It is standard international best practice not to introduce items of personal protection that, in the wrong hands, could become weapons. The project carefully considered whether some equipment could make corrections officers a greater target of assault because prisoners may seek to overpower them to access the items.
“It is for these reasons that prison staff will not carry the new personal protective equipment at all times. They will instead use it in specific situations where the use of the equipment is clearly required and can be carefully planned.”
Briefing material
The below material provides further information on the Staff Safety Project:
What research did the project undertake?
In making its recommendations the project team analysed all staff assaults to ascertain how PPE would have given them greater protection during those incidents.
The project also looked at information from other jurisdictions such as Western Australia and Northern Ireland, as well as consultation with staff and international literature on protective equipment.
Other than international best practice were there any other reasons for not giving staff the new equipment all the time?
The project found it was important to ensure that the professional engagement and rapport between Corrections Officers and prisoners was not undermined through a perception of arming staffing.
Were Corrections Officers involved in this project?
We have worked very closely with operational staff on this project, and both the Corrections Association of New Zealand and the Public Services Association were represented on the project.
Was the use of tasers considered during the project?
The use of tasers by Corrections Officers was assessed during the staff safety project. Tasers were considered to only have limited application in some situations in prisons. For example, there are limitations on their usefulness in confined spaces or where there are multiple offenders. It was not recommended that they be introduced into prisons at this point in time. We will continue to monitor developments in non-lethal devices (such as tasers) and may review this decision if necessary in the future.
Currently, if there is a situation where tasers may be of assistance in prison, the New Zealand Police are able to bring them in and use them. We have a very good relationship with the police and are confident that if the situation requires, that the New Zealand Police will be equipped as necessary.
When do you expect to have this training completed and the equipment into prisons?
We expect to begin rolling out training for all staff in tactical communication in the next three months and to have purchased and begun implementing the equipment into prisons by the end of the year.
Are there any legislative changes required to use the new equipment in prisons?
The use of spit hoods and pepper spray are subject to cabinet approval. A paper will go to Cabinet in the coming weeks.
For further information contact the Communications Services Desk: