Guarding against suicide

National MP Simon Power is concerned prisoners are being guarded in police cells by security officers with no training in suicide prevention.

Police Minister Annette King has told Mr Power that guards are deployed only to monitor prisoners.

"In the event of an incident they raise the alarm with available police staff," she said in reply to a parliamentary question from him.

Mr Power said police had estimated that between 125,000 and 140,000 people would pass through their cells in the 2006-07 year. Of these, around 7000 to 8000 were expected to have a mental illness or disability.

He said that without training the guards and police could be opening themselves up to a legal minefield.

- NZPA