Prisoners go north to offset crowding

Press, 31 August 1977, Page 1

Prisoners go north to offset crowding

Inmates from Christchurch prisons are being moved to \orth Island institutions in an attempt to reduce overcrowding at Addington Prison — the scene of a violent breakout earlier this month.

Fourteen inmates had been sent from Paparua Prison to several North Island prisons, including Wi Tako, Rangipo, and Wanganui, said the acting superintendent of Christchurch prisons (Mr M. Leimon) last evening. “Our main concern is to lower the muster at Addington by transferring some prisoners to Paparua,” he said. “There were 66 inmates m Addington on the night of the trouble, and at lock- ' up last evening we had only 53.”

He said that the- transfers—coupled with an increase in staff from 19 to 21—had definitely improved security at Addington.

The number of inmates at Paparua at lock-up time last evening, 310, was “about normal,” Mr Leimon said.

The 14 prisoners transferred from Paparua all came trom the North Island.

“They were not pressganged into shifting up there.” he said.

There was no immediate plan to move any more inmates.

The Acting Minister of Justice (Mr Wilkinson) said yesterday that he had received a report from Mr Leimon on the break-out

from Addington—in which four prisoners escaped. Mr Wilkinson said that “in an understandable human urge to assist fellow officers under violent and unprovoked attack,” one secure area had been inadvertently left unattended. This had made the escape possible. “Steps are now being taken to strengthen physical security at the prison, and staff have been increased to cope with the

high musters at present being experienced.” Mr Wilkinson said. He repeated his concern for the five prison officers injured during the escape. Two of the officers. Chief Officer P. Crichton, who suffered a fractured skull, and Prison Officer D. Holden, have not yet returned to duty. Both were "progressing well," Mr Leimon said last evening.