Power Simon: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Power Simon: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:637;Page:7467] 
4.  
SIMON POWER (National—Rangitikei) 
 to the  
Minister of Corrections 
: Does he have confidence in his department; if so why? 
Hon MITA RIRINUI (Associate Minister of Corrections) 
 on behalf of the 
 Minister of Corrections 
: Yes but there is always room for improvement. 
Simon Power 
: What does it say about the culture of his department when a former employee has alleged on National Radio this morning that smuggling of contraband by guards at Rimutaka Prison “would not have occurred without management knowledge of it and they had knowledge of this for a long time and the fact is they chose not to act.”; and is that why several guards have had to go to the media before the Minister is prepared to do anything about it? 
Hon MITA RIRINUI 
: On 22 November last year the department’s chief executive appointed a barrister and two former police detectives to independently investigate allegations by ex - staff members. Since then further allegations have arisen and are being addressed by the inquiry. Allegations arising more recently—as of today—by a former staff member are not new. She was interviewed last year and the independent investigator is also looking into those matters. 
Simon Power 
: What does he say about the allegations made by a former employee on radio this morning about the way in which his department has treated whistleblowers “and the depth that they”—the department—“will go to to try to discredit people and to cover up these matters.” highlighted by the case of one guard who was attacked by an inmate and was left to fend for himself by other guards because he did his job by conducting proper cell searches and reporting contraband? 
Hon MITA RIRINUI 
: All allegations are treated seriously and the investigation will inquire into all those matters. The Minister will be able to comment on them when the investigation has been completed. 
Simon Power 
: How can the public believe that he is in touch with what happens in prisons when they hear Andy Coward a former guard with a PhD in psychology and 20 years’ experience working at prisons on four continents say that the prison system in New Zealand is “a disgrace and a joke” and “the most despicable thing I have ever seen”; and all the Minister can say publicly is “Talking with Barry there may have been some slackness.”? 
Hon MITA RIRINUI 
: As I have said all the allegations are subject to an investigation. The results will be made public in the public interest. 
Simon Power 
: Does he stand by his statement yesterday that corruption amongst prison guards is not a widespread problem when the Department of Corrections now admits that guards have been smuggling contraband to inmates at Rimutaka; when officers at Arohata and Wellington prisons have also resigned while being investigated for corruption; when last month he ordered an inquiry into corruption by guards at Rotorua District Court after the department’s chief executive said he would not investigate; when guards report that cellphones and P are rife at Waikeria Prison; and when an inmate reports that P is being consumed openly in the exercise yards at Mount Eden Prison; and what is going on in his department? 
Hon MITA RIRINUI 
: Once again for the benefit of the member all these allegations are subject to investigation. 
Simon Power 
: Does he agree with the Prime Minister that Barry Matthews the Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections enjoys the confidence of the Government and is according to the Prime Minister “an exceptional chief executive”? 
Hon MITA RIRINUI 
: I do agree with the statement of the Prime Minister who said that Barry Matthews is an exceptional chief executive. 
Simon Power 
: Does the Minister intend to communicate with Labour members of the Law and Order Committee regarding their vote on National’s quest for a wide-ranging inquiry into this hugely dysfunctional department? 
Hon MITA RIRINUI 
: There is currently an investigation into all allegations. That is the Government’s position right now.