Prisoners taken on beach trip

Prison guards took inmates on an outing to a beach in Hawke's Bay last year, it has emerged.

National MP Simon Power confirmed the beach visit through written parliamentary questions to Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor.

Mr O'Connor replied: "On 20 December 2005 a small group of minimum security prisoners went to a beach under the supervision of two staff.

"This was an unauthorised location and therefore a breach of policy. The department undertook an investigation into this and appropriate disciplinary action has been taken."

Mr Power said: "What were they doing on a public beach? Playing beach volleyball, having a picnic, body surfing, gathering shells, or were they part of some rehabilitation course?"

He said the inmates were from Mangaroa Prison.

- NZPA