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| NZ Corrections Fires 21 Officers for Misconduct |
| By The New Zealand Herald |
| Published: 01/30/2006 |
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The New Zealand Department of Corrections faces renewed pressure after it was revealed 21 prison officers have lost their jobs over the past two years for misconduct, including criminal activity. The revelation comes days after National Party law and order spokesman Simon Power called for a parliamentary inquiry into the department following the disclosure of budget blow outs for two new prisons. Figures supplied under the Official Information Act to the Christchurch Press show 352 officers were stood down in the past three years while misconduct investigations were carried out. Public Prisons Service general manager Phil McCarthy told the newspaper 12 officers had lost their jobs between January and November last year and nine over the same period in 2004. Staff had lost their jobs for external criminal charges, failing to obey a legitimate instruction, not reporting for duty, inappropriate behavior, taking a prohibited item into prison and dishonesty, Mr McCarthy said. The Corrections Association - the prison officers' union - said the number of staff sacked was low for the amount of investigations. Association president Beven Hanlon said officers had lost their jobs for criminal charges relating to fights outside work and taking items such as cellphones and money into prisons. Mr Hanlon said prison officers were investigated all the time and that inmates were able to join forces and concoct stories that appeared to be consistent to attack staff. |
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