The investigation, which began in July last year, was launched after an inmate allegedly arranged the trafficking of drugs into New Zealand using illicit cell phones. From March 23, until May 13 last year, no visitors were allowed into the prison, due to New Zealand being under alert levels 3 and 4.
The most common items of contraband found during lockdown at Rimutaka Prison were communication devices. Responding to questions from
Stuff, prison director Viv Whelan said while visitors could not smuggle in contraband in during the lockdown there were other methods, concealed on a prisoner’s body when they come into a prison, posted in with mail or property, thrown over perimeter fencing, or made using every day items with the prison.
Christchurch mosque shootings: Corrections consulted international experts on managing gunman
16 Jan, 2021 06:19 AM
4 minutes to read
Inside the country s only specialist maximum security unit, at Paremoremo, in Auckland. Photo / RNZ
RNZ
By Charlotte Cook, of RNZ.
The Department of Corrections remains tight-lipped on the conditions the mosque gunman will spend the rest of his life under, but new documents reveal it consulted with international experts before the sentencing, to prepare for the man s incarceration.
Brenton Tarrant, the man who carried out the mosque attacks in Christchurch on March 15, 2019, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in August last year.
The Department of Corrections said a staff member from Corrections Victoria in Australia, also visited New Zealand.
And Correction s Chief Custodial Officer, Neil Beales, went to Australia to visit a prison that holds extreme threat prisoners .
The documents show that in October 2019, Corrections contracted two leading academics to provide specialist advice and support on the management of individuals under the Prisoners of Extreme Risk Directorate.
Some staff at Corrections were also given training around violent extremism, based on information from international sources.
Inside the country s only specialist maximum security unit, at Paremoremo, in Auckland.
Photo: RNZ / Claire Eastham Farrelly
Corrections has refused to disclose details of how the gunman will be managed during his time in custody and the conditions he will be held in.
Increasing numbers of Hawke s Bay prisoners testing positive for amphetamines
14 Dec, 2020 08:50 PM
3 minutes to read
Sixty-two people failed drug tests at Hawke s Bay Regional Prison between July 2019 and June this year - most common of which were amphetamine based. Photo / File
Hawkes Bay Today
The number of Hawke s Bay prisoners testing positive for amphetamines is increasing, with drug accessibility in jail now easier than ever, according to a reformed drug addict and former prisoner. Sixteen people tested positive for amphetamine-type stimulants, commonly found in methamphetamine, in Hawke s Bay Regional Prison in the 12 months from July 2019.
That s up on five people between 2018/19, and three people in 2015/2016.