KEY POINTS:
The head of the Corrections Department says investigations into fraud and bribery at one of the country's largest prisons are being hampered by the complainants demanding payment for information.
Two former prison officers at Wellington's Rimutaka Prison, Ingrid and Mark Rijniers, have alleged that officers were being bribed by gangs and prisoners had unlimited access to drugs.
The couple, who were recruited from the Netherlands, told the Weekend Herald the prison was controlled by gangs and they received death threats while working there.
Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews said yesterday that the Rijniers were refusing to provide information unless they were paid for it.
"This should not be about money, but about doing the right thing, and we have no intention of paying for information."
The Rijniers confirmed to the Herald they had asked for financial assistance to get home, but said it was not a condition of handing over information.
Mr Matthews said the department had approached the couple on three occasions to provide information, but none of their claims had been substantiated. The department would continue to investigate, he said.
"We would very much appreciate any information that would enable us to clear this matter up once and for all."
- NZPA, additional reporting Derek Cheng
