Prison escapes at all-time low

Prison escapes fell to an all-time low in the year ended June 30, Corrections Minister Judith Collins told Parliament yesterday.

She said that in the 2008/09 year there were only 12 escapes.

That compared with 23 in the 2007/08 year and 89 when the Department of Corrections was established in 1996/97.

"It is especially pleasing when one notes the increase in prisoner numbers," she said.

Ms Collins said she asked the Corrections Department to review the eligibility of every prisoner employed in work parties outside prisons because they had the most opportunities to escape.

"Following the review a small number of prisoners were brought back inside the wire."

Ms Collins later issued a statement paying tribute to the "incredibly hard work" of prison officers and staff.

"New Zealanders must have confidence that the most difficult and dangerous people in our society are kept securely behind bars," she said.

Ms Collins said that in addition to reviewing the eligibility of prisoners on work parties, a re-evaluation of prisoners' security classifications was being undertaken to ensure their escape risk was properly assessed.

The department's assistant general manager for prison services, Leanne Field, said the 2008/09 escape figure was "a great result" which reflected excellent work by staff, the significant investment in prison security and recent improvements to systems and processes.

- NZPA