Fewer prisoners escaping

File photo / NZ Herald

New Zealand prisons may be bursting at the seams but new figures show fewer inmates are escaping.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins said in the year to June 30 nine prisoners escaped from Corrections Department custody. The figure was the lowest recorded since the department was established in 1996. There were 12 escapes in the 2008-2009 year and 23 escapes the year before that.

Ms Collins said a new security classification system, more sophisticated fencing, new detection and surveillance systems, improved intelligence and single points of entry at prisons had had an impact.

"This dramatic reduction in escapes comes at a time when there are more prisoners behind bars than ever before," Ms Collins said. "Keeping the public safe from our most difficult and dangerous people is the number one priority of Corrections."

Of the past year's escapes three were prison breakouts (Wellington, Auckland and Waikeria prisons). Five prisoners took off from work places and one escaped from a hospital. They were all caught.

The department has tightened up criteria for inmates working outside prison and all the walkaway cases in the past year were before that was implemented.

- NZPA