NZ prison guards to wear body cameras

A total of 1000 cameras will be introduced. File photo

New wearable cameras and stab-resistant body armour will be introduced for prison guards, the Corrections Minister announced today.

Prison authorities hoped the cameras would reduce "disruptive incidents" and said the devices had been successfully trialled in two jails.

A total of 1000 cameras will be introduced, starting in Arohata Prison, a womens' facility near Wellington.

Corrections officers switched on the cameras when potentially disruptive incidents developed. Prisoners were advised they were being filmed.

Cameras will be mounted on the body armour.

"Their use, along with the new lightweight stab-resistant body armour, means our staff and prisoners are safer," Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga said.

"This positive interaction between prisoners and staff results in potential problems being identified and resolved quickly, which reduces the number of incidents in prison."

The minister said the new body armour was lighter, more compact and more comfortable than existing stab-resistant body armour.

Mr Lotu-Iiga said last month that 3500 stab-resistant vests would be rolled out to "frontline" prison staff.

He said other steps had already been taken to better protect Corrections staff.

These steps included making batons, pepper spray and spit hoods available.

Staff were also trained in "de-escalation" techniques to quell tensions.

Last month, Corrections announced 194 jobs would be cut at Waikeria, Tongariro/Rangipo and Rimutaka prisons.

The department said it hoped to find new jobs for those staff.

Corrections Association president Beven Hanlon said cutting jobs could have dire consequences for communities.

"For every job in the prison that goes, you can directly relate within the first six months another job in the community as a flow on effect. Within the next eighteen months small businesses and other areas suffer," he told Newstalk ZB.