Media prison visit cancelled

Press, 2 June 1989, Page 4

Media prison visit cancelled

By

GLEN PERKINSON

The Justice Department cancelled yesterday’s planned news media inspection of conditions at Paparua Prison. Media representatives were to accompany prison officers through the prison to inspect what the officers’ union says are abysmal conditions caused by overcrowding. But the department cancelled the visit, saying it had not been properly organised by the union, the Public Service Association.

A department spokesman in Wellington said another visit

would be welcomed if the proper channels were followed.

The P.S.A. alleges that Paparua is overcrowded and at times accommodates 120 more prisoners than its capacity — a claim disputed by the prison management.

The officers want to see a larger prison built in Christchurch.

Yesterday they reacted strongly to a joint report from seven rights groups saying Addington Prison was inhumane, and calling for its demolition.

The P.S.A. regional secretary, Mr John McKenzie, said the officers were angry that the report implied that they were denying inmates their rights.

Mr McKenzie said the report should not have attempted to use prison officers to achieve its ends — “we can’t blame the officers.

“Someone has to spend some money on a better prison,” he said.

“The prison officers carry out sterling service in the face of hardships caused by the rising crime rate leading to

overcrowding in a prison built in 1924 and now trying to cope with today’s circumstances. “It is only the officers’ dedication to duty that is preventing serious problems arising. “We deny prisoners are being denied their rights or neglected by officers. However, there is no denying that there is a problem in the prison service — space,” Mr McKenzie said.

Nevertheless, officers would make representations to the Minister of Justice, Mr Palmer, over the unsatisfactory conditions.