Lole-Taylor Asenati: Corrections Amendment Bill — In Committee 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Lole-Taylor Asenati: Corrections Amendment Bill — In Committee 
[Sitting date: 13 February 2013. Volume:687;Page:7845. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Le’aufa’amulia ASENATI LOLE-TAYLOR (NZ First) 
: 
 I rise on behalf of New Zealand First to speak to the Corrections Amendment Bill. I must reiterate in the Committee today that New Zealand First will always put the safety of our community as a priority as well as supporting law enforcement officers and staff to carry out their roles effectively and efficiently. 
Last night during this bill’s second reading I emphasised that this bill is one of the few bills being introduced that will provide improvement to the way our prisons operate and are managed. It is important that we support the removal of any obstacles that would prevent managing prisoners in a manner that is safe. It is also important that we support the removal of any obstacles that would prevent managing prisoners in a manner that is secure and humane. It is also important that we support the removal of any obstacles that would prevent managing prisoners in a manner that is effective and efficient. 
Some of these points would be addressed in proposed changes to delegations as reflected in clauses 14 16 17 18 and possibly 42. However New Zealand First will continue to strongly oppose the use of private firms and contractors for the purpose of operating prisons and prison services as per clause 5. I cannot make it clear enough that the incarceration of prisoners should and must remain the sole preserve of the State. Serco has been unable to form and build better relationships with the local communities in order to assist with the delivery of rehabilitative initiatives in order to reduce reoffending. Furthermore Serco’s performance has been way below standard and progress has been extremely slow if at all. 
I would like to come back to the comments made by the Minister of Corrections. You said that Serco was performing well and I would like to ask the Minister why then the prisoners are being locked up for longer hours in the Mt Eden Corrections Facility and whether it is the view of the Department of Corrections that Serco’s rehabilitation initiative is to send prisoners to the gym and then record those hours as rehabilitation hours. I do agree that educational opportunities should be made available for prisoners but make sure that they are the right educational programmes. Rehabilitation is a good thing but they must be relevant and effective initiatives by the right providers. I also would like to pick up on the comments that David Clendon has made that staff on the floor not the staff in the national office or the ivory towers would do this country a lot of good if they were the ones being sent overseas to get more learning and be exposed to new ideas. 
I would also like to pick up the comments made by Jacqui Dean on container units. I think Jacqui Dean is misinformed because those container units became outrageously expensive. They cost a lot more which crushed the National Government’s cost-saving plan. I do wonder whom or where she is getting her information from. 
I want to now come back to the medical officer allocation. The fact that this bill aims to fix the current loopholes within the Corrections Act means it is a step in the right direction. The amendment to section 20(1) in clause 8 helps address medical treatment of prisoners in prisons but I want to say to David Clendon that prisoners are probably getting the most effective service in the way of health care. I have to say that I have been there and I have worked in that environment and they have got the best service available to them in the way of dental care and health care compared with those who are outside the prison walls. 
This bill will also ensure accountability in terms of the protection and safety of our communities and reduces the delays as well as reducing additional requirements for escort staff when transporting prisoners to and from the hospitals. This is our taxpayers’ money so I am standing up for what is in the best interests of our country as well. This amendment bill must incorporate safety mechanisms that will honour those dedicated men and women who provide security and public safety for our country. 
It has been said that enforcing the rule of law and maintaining public order are inseparable and that they form the bedrock of a civilised society and a sound liberal democracy. New clause 31A which allows authorised persons such as non-custodial staff to read prisoners’ mail will contribute to operational efficiency within the prison environment and I think it is a wonderful idea. 
I want to now come back to the response we put forward to the Law and Order Committee. We do believe that the strip-searching of prisoners can be enhanced by using a different approach from what has been incorporated into the Corrections Amendment Bill. 
The other thing I want to address is property claims. New Zealand First supports clear processes in the area of lost and stolen property of prisoners. Savings can be made in this area especially in the processing of such claims. Clear guidelines that will transfer the liability of prisoners must be laid down in order to clearly determine accountability. This is an area that used to frustrate me when I was working in that environment. 
I still believe Minister that if you would consider reinstating the provision in the old penal institution legislation of 1954 I think this would really do corrections a lot of good. This provision would give power to a visiting justice or adjudicator of corrections to impose certain punishments and penalties which include a loss of remission on any sentence. I think it is relevant that that provision should be reinstated. 
I would also like to emphasise cultural perspectives within the prison environment. Cultural perspectives should also be incorporated into staff training programmes in order for staff to understand and deal efficiently with major ethnic populations in our prisons. That would contribute to the effective delivery of rehabilitation programmes within the prison environment. 
So New Zealand First recognises that this bill has some merit although it does not address all the issues that we have identified. But overall the bill will improve a number of areas within the environment of corrections operations. 
I would now like to touch on the smoking ban. And thank you Minister—I know that you have invited me to come and meet with you and you might not like the response I am going to give you now but it is an important— 
The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy) 
: Order! I think the member is getting into Part 3. 
Le’aufa’amulia ASENATI LOLE-TAYLOR 
: Part 3 yes. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy) 
: Well and we are on Part 1 so— 
Le’aufa’amulia ASENATI LOLE-TAYLOR 
: OK so I will talk about it afterwards. 
The CHAIRPERSON (Eric Roy) 
: Yes. Righto.