Cosgrove Clayton: Motions — Department of Corrections—Death of Corrections Officer Jason Palmer 
Cosgrove Clayton: Motions — Department of Corrections—Death of Corrections Officer Jason Palmer 
[Volume:663;Page:10869] 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Labour—Waimakariri) 
: 
 The Labour Party joins with the Government in conveying condolences to the family of Jason Palmer. Our hearts go out to Mr Palmer’s wife Tracy; his two children Riley and Abbey; his mother Ada; his extended family; and his fellow corrections officers. 
Jason Palmer beloved father husband son corrections officer and public servant was tragically the first prison officer to be killed in the line of duty. He was a man who committed himself I am told firstly to serving his country of birth the United States as a marine for 4 years and latterly his adopted home of New Zealand where he lived for the last 8 years and worked as a corrections officer for the last 6 months. 
Along with his corrections colleagues Jason did a job that few of us in this country could do or would want to do—securing some of the most vile and violent criminals and in doing so protecting our community. There are many unanswered questions in respect of this tragedy. How did it happen? Was it avoidable? What pressures have been put on corrections staff? Were warnings heeded? Who is accountable? Should there be an independent inquiry? But they are questions for another day. For now our thoughts and prayers are rightly with Jason’s family. For now we honour the memory of a true public servant. Jason has been described as a dedicated family man. His brother Justin has said that Jason would make people laugh even during a very dark time. 
I join with others who say that our corrections staff do a superb job. I have had the privilege of visiting all but two prisons in our country. I was at Spring Hill Corrections Facility only a matter of weeks ago. It takes a tonne of guts in my view to walk amongst a pod of violent offenders many of whom are gang members with only one’s cotton shirt to protect oneself from immediate danger. Our prison officers like Jason Palmer deal with the ugly side of human nature day after day and they still maintain their high standards of professionalism at work and a normal life at home. The fact that they can do that says a lot about them. 
At this time I am mindful of some words penned by a Florida-based corrections officer of 21 years of experience Larry Peoples entitled “Correctional Officer’s Prayer”. The following words I think would seem very apt at this sad time: 
“Lord when it is time to go inside 
That place of steel and stone 
I pray that you will keep me safe 
So I won’t walk alone.  
Help me to do my duty  
Please watch me on my rounds 
Amongst those perilous places 
And slamming steel door sounds.  
God Keep my fellow Officers 
Well and free from harm.  
Let them know I’ll be there too 
Whenever there’s alarm.  
Above all when I walk my beat 
No matter where I roam 
Let me go back whence I came 
To family and home. 
Tragically Jason Palmer will not return to his family or to his home but he will always be remembered as a loving father and husband a dedicated public servant a professional corrections officer a work colleague and a good mate. He will be remembered as a man who throughout his life did not shy away from danger or cower to fear but instead stared each down and did his duty and did his job; an ordinary bloke who did extraordinary things.