28 October
The combination of Waikeria Prison staff vigilance, the Department's Operations Intelligence Team monitoring systems and Police surveillance work has resulted in the arrest of a Waikeria Prison corrections officer. The officer appeared in Hamilton Court this morning facing charges relating to conspiring to deal a class C drug to a prison inmate.
"I would like to acknowledge the work of the Corrections staff and Police who worked together to make the arrest possible," says Assistant Regional Manager Dianne Brophy.
"Recently staff noticed a change in a prisoner's behaviour, which prompted them to inform Operations Intelligence who then used our monitoring systems to gather information. This information was handed over to Police whose surveillance efforts resulted in the arrest of the officer last night.
"This is yet another example of the vigilance of our staff and the value of our monitoring systems and how they can be used to ensure corrupt and unethical behaviour in Department will not be tolerated.
"The Department employs over 7,000 staff and the vast majority do their job with honesty and integrity. Like any employer we are highly disappointed if a staff member is found to have acted dishonestly.
“As the matter is now before the courts it would be inappropriate to comment further."
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