Stabbing shows Corrections staff in danger - union

The stabbing of a man in the back of a Corrections Department van shows a relaxed attitude to security, the union for prison guards says.

Corrections Association president Bevan Hanlon said Corrections staff were being put in real danger.

A man is recovering in hospital after being stabbed in the neck while in the back of a Corrections Department community work van.

Corrections general manager of community probation Katrina Casey said stabbings are rare and there is no record of a similar attack having taken place during community work.

"Given this incident is a very rare occurrence, we will be looking at the particular circumstances and whether we need to do anything differently when the police have completed their investigation," Ms Casey said in a written statement to nzherald.co.nz.

A spokesman for the department said people on community work are low level offenders and are not searched.

Detective Sergeant Tony Heathcote said the attack was unprovoked and "the victim was caught by complete surprise". He said the 37 year-old man was left with a laceration on his neck and was recovering in hospital.

Mr Heathcote said the Corrections van was travelling along Fergusson Drive at Silverstream, Upper Hutt, with six men in the back when the attack happened yesterday afternoon.

Mr Heathcote said the van driver pulled over and the fight continued on the pavement.

He said police have found the knife they believed was used in the attack.

Ms Casey said it appears the man had brought his own pocket knife and it was not a Corrections tool.

"Offenders in the work party had been working with tools during the day without any sign of issues or problems," she said.

Mr Heathcote said a 52 year-old man had been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and would be appearing in the Upper Hutt District Court tomorrow.

He said anyone who saw the attack on the footpath should call Upper Hutt police on (04) 527 2300.

- NZHERALD STAFF