Prison guards protest against privatisation

Prison officers stage their protest outside Mt Eden prison today. Photo / NZPA

More than 60 prison guards protested legislation, which could lead to the privatisation of some prisons, outside Auckland's Mt Eden prison today.

The guards chanted slogans and held placards saying 'Stop The Cell-Off' and 'No Profit From Crime', Radio New Zealand reported.

The Corrections Association, the union representing prison guards, said legislation currently before Parliament would lead to the private management of up to five prisons.

Association president Beven Hanlon said New Zealand had one of the best prison systems in the world and privately run facilities would not deliver the same standards.

"We have low levels of escape, we have low staff-to-prisoner ratios which means we've got really low costs and we've got low suicide rates - and believe it or not we've got improving rehabilitation rates."

Mr Hanlon said if prison management was privatised, guards would face the prospect of losing their jobs, only to be re-hired at reduced wages and under poorer conditions.

- NZPA