Dominance of mob ‘broken’

Press, 20 October 1987, Page 24

Dominance of mob ‘broken’

PA Wellington Paremoremo Prison staff have broken the dominance of the Mongrel Mob in the jail, the “Dominion” newspaper said. Staff have moved 11 members of the gang from their base in B block to the top-security D block. The move resulted from raids on B block and the discovery of weapons, including knives and sharpened broom handles. Prison staff, under the management of the newly appointed superintendent, Mr Max Hindmarsh, reacted quickly, moving out the 11 and transferring other inmates to medium security. The deputy superintendent, Mr Keith Hounslow, said there was reason to believe the weapons were being used to / intimidate other inmates. “We have taken the action to prevent any serious disturbances," he

said. In August the former superintendent, Mr Les Hine, agreed to allow gang members to be housed together in B block. ' The move was opposed by prison officers, and the gang was told that if members “blew it” that would be their last chance. The “Dominion” believes that discovery of the weapons gave Mr Hindmarsh the opportunity he needed to act decisively. Now gang members transferred to D block are outnumbered by prison officers. Every time an inmate steps outside his' cell three officers are on hand. In B block, by comparison, there were three officers for up to 48 inmates. The action is seen as a sign that Mr Hindmarsh will take a harder line than his predecessor, the newspaper says.