All temporary releases for prisoners will be suspended in the wake of convicted murderer Phillip John Smith escaping while on release, Corrections says.
Corrections Chief Executive Ray Smith announced this afternoon that temporary releases from prison of prisoners will be suspended, for at least the next fortnight.
"Only in exceptional circumstances will these be allowed during this period and only then on approval by one of our four Regional Commissioners, our most senior operational officers," Mr Smith said.
"This follows the unauthorised departure from New Zealand of high profile prisoner Phillip Smith who had been under the supervision of a sponsor while on a temporary release from Spring Hill Prison.
"This is a very serious incident. It should never have happened and I want to reassure the public that we are taking steps to understand how this occurred to prevent it happening again.