10. Prisons—ContrabandHon DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) to the Minister of CorrectionsPrisons—Contraband10. Hon DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) to the Minister of Corrections: What advice has he sought if any in relation to footage posted on YouTube which appears to be of Mongrel Mob gang members using tattooing equipment on one another at Rimutaka Prison?Hon KELVIN DAVIS (Minister of Corrections): I have been advised by the Department of Corrections that Rimutaka Prison staff have moved quickly to identify prisoners in the online video. The site emergency response team undertook a search operation and a cellphone was recovered quickly and is being forensically examined. I expect that the prisoners identified will be held to account for their behaviour. I also appreciate images of prisoners available online will be of particular concern to the victims of offending; corrections are asking YouTube to have the content removed.Hon David Bennett: Does he think corrections officers are smuggling in the equipment being used to tattoo prisoners and the phones being used to post their tattooing online?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: When I was in Opposition I found it unacceptable for corrections officers to smuggle in contraband. Nothing has changed now that I am in Government. I have high expectations of their behaviour. I have no tolerance for corrections officers who are found to be abusing their position in prisons. They endanger themselves and their peers.Hon David Bennett: Is it true that when allegations are made that corrections officers are smuggling contraband into prisons and these allegations are made through the proper channels the people who make those allegations are fobbed off by corrections as the Minister's previously said?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: I just want to repeat the last answer that I gave. If you want me to repeat it word for word I can but the fact of the matter is it is unacceptable for any corrections officers to smuggle contraband in. They endanger themselves and they endanger their peers. I expect corrections to deal with any corrections officers that are found to be smuggling contraband into prisons and deal with it swiftly.Greg O'Connor: What steps has he taken to address the number of prisoners giving or receiving a tattoo in prison?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: The Corrections Amendment Bill will make it a disciplinary offence for a prisoner to tattoo another prisoner or consent to receive a tattoo from another prisoner or to tattoo themselves. I've also asked the corrections to look into a national tattoo removal strategy. Some tattoos in particular gang patches can have an impact on the ability for some prisoners to transition back into communities. If we want people to have the best chance in leading a better life after prison then we need to take steps like removing gang patches to help them successfully transition back into communities.Hon David Bennett: Has he taken any action regarding prison officers who have allegedly been bringing contraband into prisons that he said in the past he knew the names of and that had been given to him?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: I have no responsibility for the actions that occurred under the previous Government.Hon David Bennett: Does he still believe corrections takes a view that protecting its reputation is more important than the safety and transparency of the prison system as he has said in the past?Hon KELVIN DAVIS: No not under my watch.