Mark Ron: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Mark Ron: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:617;Page:12547] 
8.  
RON MARK (NZ First) 
 to the  
Minister of Corrections 
: How many female prison officers if any in the term of this Government have been counselled or disciplined for having sexual relationships with male inmates? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN (Minister of Corrections) 
: 
 In the term of this Government—that is since mid-2002—I am advised that three female corrections officers have been investigated for having a sexual relationship with a male inmate. Of these three cases I am advised that one officer resigned before the investigation was complete one investigation is still under way and in the third case the allegation was unproven while the officer was an employee. 
Ron Mark 
: Aside from Raewyn Houia who admitted having a love child to convicted rapist David James Shepherd whilst she was a duty officer at Paparua prison and past reports of other female prison officers being fired for smuggling items into their lovers’ jails can the Minister confirm whether another female prison officer has recently left Christchurch Prison as a result of an inappropriate relationship with an inmate or was it simply for smuggling goods into the prison? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: I cannot quite recollect the first issue the member raised. As far as the second one is concerned I understand that criminal charges are being laid. The third I am not fully aware of. If it is an allegation such as the one raised I presume it is being investigated. If that is not the case and the member has information he should give it to me and I will follow it up. 
Mahara Okeroa 
: What does the Department of Corrections code of conduct say about relationships between corrections officers and inmates? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: Relationships between Department of Corrections officers and inmates are prohibited. The department’s code of conduct specifies that staff are to ensure that they do not form financial business or sexual relationships with inmates. The department views sexual relationships as serious misconduct. All allegations into such relationships are investigated and if proven staff are dismissed. 
Ron Mark 
: Is the policy of placing female prison officers in male prisons so exposing them to the manipulations of seasoned sexual predators a politically correct gender-based policy or a needs-based policy; if it is the latter specifically whose needs is the Minister attempting to cater to? 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: It is kind of hard to know how to answer that. The reality is that both male and female Department of Corrections officers do an extremely good job. These policies have been supported by many parties in this Government and I cannot see why that member would oppose them. 
Ron Mark 
: Does the Minister not accept that in these very difficult situations the Department of Corrections has clear occupational safety and health responsibilities in respect of protecting female prison officers; if he does can he explain why the public is continuing to see female prison officers involved in such incidents. 
Hon PAUL SWAIN 
: Yes I do accept that the department has important responsibilities as far as its staff are concerned but I absolutely reject the fact that there is a continuing stream of incidents. There are 12000 inmates flowing through our prisons every year and the 2000 staff do a thoroughly good job.