Jails step up tool security

Prisons have been told to improve their tool security after a Christchurch Prison inmate used a hacksaw and scaffolding to escape last year.

Peter Matehaere escaped on October 31 but was recaptured after telling Christchurch Hospital staff treating his injured arm he had escaped from prison.

Prison staff did not know Matehaere had gone until the hospital contacted them.

Corrections Department chief executive Barry Matthews said yesterday that an investigation had found inadequate security precautions in the prison's east wing.

Matehaere stole a hacksaw from a contractor, cut through his cell bars and used unsecured scaffolding to scale the perimeter fence.

Mr Matthews said a new procedure to ensure contractors' tools were secure had been implemented, and ladders and climbing equipment were now subject to tougher accounting.

The frequency of cell checks had also been increased.

"We have learned valuable lessons and taken action to minimise the risk of this type of escape happening again," Mr Matthews said.

- NZPA