NEW ZEALANDFirst is concerned about safety at Rimutaka Prison following an incident with a prisoner and visitor trapped in a visiting booth for several hours.
Corrections spokesperson Asenati Lole-Taylor says the prison site was compromised when a count was completed without confirming the whereabouts of the prisoner.
She says the Corrections Department must do more staff training including refresher programmes, specifically around musters and visitor safety.
The NZ First MP says the situation proves that a prison guard acting as social worker doesn’t work.
Mrs Lole-Taylor says the prison service has many well-intentioned people but they need a clear focus on their job responsibilities.
