Pay Increases For Prison Officers

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31224, 23 November 1966, Page 3

Pay Increases For Prison Officers

[New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 22. Higher salaries for prison officers are announced in a decision of the Government Service Tribunal.

Officers on the lowest grade will get a starting salary of £1055 against a previous figure of £943. The increases stop at grade 11, where the maximum goes from £1620 to £1675.

The chairman of the tribunal, Mr J. F. Keane, S.M., said in his decision that the evidence of the Minister of Justice, the Secretary of Justice and the Director of Prisons deserved “most serious consideration.” The problems disclosed by the riots at Mt. Eden and Paparua prisons must be remedied so that as far as

possible the chances of a repetition could be prevented, he said.

“The problem which faces this tribunal is a chronic staff shortage. I do not think it can be gainsaid that a wellmanned service is a necessity. Not only must the service be fully staffed, but it must be able to keep its staff.” Mr Keane said the service had been short of 100 on the establishments, many of which were stated to be out of date.

The aim of the decision was not only to ensure full staffing, but to enable proper selection of the type needed for the demanding duties of a modern penal policy. In a dissenting opinion, the Government member of the tribunal, Mr G. T. Bolt, drew attention to increases already granted, to housing and accommodation at low rates, overtime earnings and fringe benefits such as uniforms.