Warders ready for trouble

The equipment is available to prison staff if they suspect violence is imminent. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The Corrections Department has shown off new prison guard safety equipment introduced in all prisons to a parliamentary select committee.

The personal protective equipment includes a bullet-proof vest, a shield, safety boots, knee and arm pads, fire-proof overalls, a baton and a helmet.

Department chief executive Barry Matthews gave the committee a breakdown of the new safety equipment, which has been slowly introduced in the last six months.

"This equipment is not available to the staff all the time. It is accessible by staff when they get an indication of violence that is about to occur."

A pepper spray device used to go in cells without the door having to be opened was also shown.

Mr Matthews said it was still being tested.

Select committee chairwoman Sandra Goudie (National) thanked the department for the display, saying "it is important for us to see what protection correction officers have because of the [Jason Palmer] incident".

American-born prison guard Jason Palmer died last month after being punched by an inmate at Springhill Prison.

He was punched shortly after he and two other prison guards opened the inmate's cell door.

- NZPA