Union astonished by Corrections raid

The union representing about 2800 prison staff says its office was searched and documents were seized by Corrections Department staff during a raid last week.

The Corrections Association has launched legal action against the department to find out why the documents were removed from its Hastings office, Radio New Zealand reported.

The union says the office was searched by the department's professional standards staff and police, and documents relating to its president, Beven Hanlon, were taken.

In a memo to staff, the union said the raid was astonishing because the seized documents had no bearing on the department.

The Corrections Department declined to comment.

The raid comes as a former member of the union's national executive, Helen Williams, raises fraud allegations against the union.

Ms Williams said personal items such as paint, an emergency passport and a helicopter ride were among items put on the union's credit card.

She said she had pushed for greater transparency in union accounts for a long time, and was putting together a formal complaint to police.

It is unknown if the raid was related to the fraud allegations.

- NZPA