KEY POINTS:
The Office of the Ombudsmen will be given greater responsibility for prison complaints.
At present the Ombudsmen can get involved in some complaints, but Justice Minister Mark Burton and Greens justice spokesman Nandor Tanczos today announced the Ombudsmen would be given the power to investigate all deaths in custody, other "serious incidents" and systemic issues.
They said the changes, which were hoped to be in place by early next year, would make the complaints system more effective and transparent.
The existing in-house prison inspectorate came under scrutiny in 2005 after four prisoners won $130,000 compensation for treatment in prison that was later ruled illegal.
At the time the Green Party won agreement from the Government for an independent complaints system in return for their vote on legislation giving victims the right to claim compensation won by prisoners.
Since then the system has again been in the spotlight after the death of Auckland teenager Liam Ashley in a prison van and allegations of corruption among prison officers.
Mr Burton said the Corrections Department would still handle some low-level complaints.
However, having the Ombudsmen handle serious complaints would avoid accusations of bias or cover-ups.
"The designation of clear responsibility for prison-related matters will better ensure that there is an identified independent and impartial entity with responsibility for overseeing and investigating prison complaints and systemic issues."
Mr Tanczos said the changes were a major victory and would bolster public confidence in the system.
"This announcement ensures that we have an inspectorate body with the ability to fairly and independently hold the department to account."
He said the changes would also lead to the results of investigations being released to the public more.
Mr Burton said the Government hoped to have legislation amending the Corrections Act introduced before Christmas.
The office of the Ombudsmen had been asked to present a business case of their resource needs to carry out their new role.
Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor said the proposals complemented work already being done inside prisons to eliminate inappropriate or illegal behaviour.
"There will always be complaints and systemic issues that need to be examined. These proposals will better ensure an independent, impartial entity is now able to provide oversight in the challenging prison environment."
Prison Fellowship national director Kim Workman said an external agency that was resourced adequately to investigate serious complaints had been needed for some years.
The prison ombudsman would be able to look more closely at systemic issues.
In the past, investigations had focused on the reactive investigative of complaints.
"The prison ombudsman will be able to look at broader issues including systemic administrative and organisational failure either within a particular prison or across the department," Mr Workman said.
- NZPA
