22 September
A prisoner at New Plymouth Prison has been ordered to pay $2123.97 in reparation to Corrections for causing extensive damage to his cell in July this year.
The damage included the cell’s hand basin, toilet and cistern being smashed and resulting water damage.
“Unfortunately cell damage incidents can be common and I am no longer prepared to treat these incidents with internal charges. "This example is a lesson to all prisoners that we will be actively pursuing any vandalism incident and reparation will be sought,” says Prison Manager Peter Madsen.
“These incidents are an inconvenience to not only our staff but also the other prisoners. "This incident in particular meant that the water to the entire wing needed to be turned off and the surrounding area was flooded resulting in other prisoners having to be relocated.
"It also meant we were an entire cell down as it needed to be completely rebuilt in order to be used again. "There is also a significant cost to the taxpayer with these acts of mindless vandalism, when we pursue prosecution through the courts we are endeavouring to minimise those costs as much as possible.”
“I have informed prisoners that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and I am pleased that this prisoner is facing the full consequences of his actions and hope this example will serve as a deterrent to other prisoners.”
For further information contact the Communications Services Desk:
• Phone: (04) 460 3365
• Email: commdesk@corrections.govt.nz
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