Alarm at number of weapons found in prison

The Corrections Department is alarmed at the number of weapons found at Waikeria Prison in the Waikato.

Two explosive devices designed to knock people out and an air rifle were among weapons confiscated at the prison last year.

Statistics released under the Official Information Act reveal that 29 weapons -- including 13 knives, four batons, three metal bars, two thunder flashes (explosive devices) and an air rifle -- were discovered within the prison's grounds last year.

And in the first two months of this year, 21 weapons were confiscated, including nine knives and nine other sharpened objects.

Waikeria Prison regional operations manager Gavin Dalziel blamed the rise on a number of factors -- it was relative to what was happening in society, the prison was rural and isolated, and there were more prisoners. Staff were also better at finding weapons and drugs.

"There are far more opportunities for people to come on to our property because of our isolation," he told the Waikato Times.

"I have worked here (Waikeria) for 30 years and there are ups and downs in terms of the types of prisoners we have --- more violent or less --- and it is a very hard thing to tackle.

"But there has been a huge increase in the number of prisoners and I am extremely proud of my staff who manage a job in settings not easy to work in."

Corrections Association of New Zealand national president Beven Hanlon told the newspaper said because of staff shortages, prisoners were not allowed out of their cells as often, and were spending more time alone with "mischievous ideas" that led to making weapons.

"It does show that staff are doing a fantastic job. It's the staff who are finding these items generally -- not fancy machines or dogs."

- NZPA