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The Department of Corrections has started testing prisoner waist restraints at Rimutaka Prison following criticism of transport security after the murder of 17-year-old Liam Ashley.
Liam's killer, George Charlie Baker, strangled him in a van taking them and others to Auckland Central Remand Prison at Mt Eden.
Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews said a variety of restraints were being tested on Rimutaka Prison staff this week with further trials on prisoners planned for Christchurch Men's, Waikeria and Auckland Prisons.
"These trials will allow Corrections to assess the different restraints and decide which best meet our needs, develop the policies on who will be restrained, how the restraints will be applied and what will happen during food and water breaks."
The department planned to use waist restraints across the prison service by the end of the year, he said.
Waist restraints had been identified as an effective tool to ensure prisoners were transported as safely, securely and humanely as possible, Mr Matthews said.
"Waist restraints will restrict the movement of a prisoner's arms and hands, and therefore, considerably reduce the risk of prisoners harming themselves, assaulting other prisoners, or attacking staff."
Mr Matthews said the use of waist restraints complied with New Zealand regulations and the United Nations' standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners.
"Waist restraints do not limit the use of a prisoner's arms and hands in an undignified manner and do not cause discomfort or pain to a prisoner.
"To ensure the safety of all prisoners it is intended that all prisoners will be restrained during transportation unless there is a good reason not to."
Corrections was also testing improvements to transport procedures, addressing most of the recommendations contained in the Ombudsmen's investigation, he said.
The Ombudsmen's damning report found the majority of prisoner transport undertaken in New Zealand to be "inhumane" and recommended many changes.
It did not recommend waist restraints.
Mr Matthews said Corrections would look at developing operational policy for food and water stops, toilet breaks, exercise and vehicle temperatures, as well as investigating and implementing vehicle standards.
"We are taking our responsibility to securely transport prisoners seriously and these changes will enhance the safety of both prisoners and staff as well as the public," Mr Matthews said.
The exact cost of implementing waist restraints across the prison service would not be known until the tender process was complete, however the Department estimated it to be about $3 million.
- NZPA
