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The Government may change prisoner classification regulations to ensure inmates who could be dangerous did not get low ratings, after violent offender Arai Hema absconded from jail.
Corrections Minister Judith Collins said she was concerned that prisoners could receive a low security classification under existing regulations, when they might still be a threat to the public and Corrections staff .
Classified as a low-risk Hema, 30, took off from a work party at Auckland Prison on Wednesday.
He was serving a 17-year sentence for the rape of a 16-year-old Napier girl and the attempted murder of 76-year-old Bruce Butler, who had attempted to intervene.
During his sentence, Hema injured three Corrections staff. He threw boiling water over a staff member and attacked others, one with a shovel - which caused permanent injuries.
If he had a higher classification he would not have been allowed to work outside.
"I will be taking a close look at the current regulations and seeing if there is any way they can be fine-tuned to better protect the public and Corrections staff," Mrs Collins said.
The security classification system was last reviewed in April 2007. Good behaviour over time progressively lowered security classifications.
"It is of great concern that an inmate who has attacked staff with a shovel should be permitted to join a working party," Mrs Collins said.
Rehabilitation should not be at the expense of public and staff safety, she said.
- NZPA
