Prison guard on corruption charges

Photo / Mark Mitchell

A Rimutaka Prison guard likened to actor Denzel Washington faces corruption charges after allegedly smuggling drugs and KFC into the prison in exchange for sex, wine and cash.

South African-born Johan Edwin Clarke, 42, of Upper Hutt, lost name suppression this week, after The Dominion Post succeeded in having the prosecution file opened for the committal process.

One prisoner says his partner gave Clarke $5000 of P, some cannabis, KFC, a cellphone and a charger to smuggle into the prison, paying him $500 and giving him expensive wine for doing so.

"I arranged for another Corrections officer to cover the cameras so the accused couldn't be seen putting the stash and items through my cell door hatch. I also arranged for a girl to have sex with Johan as a retainer," said in evidence.

Handovers were carried out at an Upper Hutt swimming pool and fire station in the six months to May 2009, and Clarke allegedly took his son with him one time.

One prisoner's partner was told to "look for a black fella who looks like Denzel Washington".

Two prisoners and their girlfriends have given evidence against Clarke, one turning on him after finding flirtatious texts between the guard and his partner.

Clarke will defend eight corruption charges at a May trial.

- NZPA