Labour’s Corrections spokesperson, Kelvin Davis says confirmation that a Serco prison guard was coaching inmates on fight club techniques proves the need for a fully independent inquiry into the issue.
Davis says, “If brawling with prison inmates is considered coaching then health and safety processes need to be reviewed immediately. An independent inquiry is the only way forward as I have no confidence whatsoever in the findings of any inquiry conducted by Corrections or Serco.”
The Minister of Corrections confirmed that a guard was coaching sparring techniques to inmates and Davis labelled this occurrence as “completely shambolic.”
“So far we’ve had Serco reporting on themselves and Corrections reporting on Serco at select committees where the Minister has no recall of serious allegations. It’s beyond a joke. Everything they’ve said so far has proven to be false,” says Davis.
Since online videos of inmates fighting surfaced, allegations of mismanagement and misreporting regarding Serco have continued to arise.
“Serco is engaged in a multi-million dollar Government contract and they’re serving a weekly sentence of incompetence and life-endangering wrongful practices. Serco should never have been given the contract and they’ve got to go. If the Minister doesn’t have the guts to do it after all that’s happened, it’s just more evidence he isn’t up to it,” says Davis.
Last month the Department of Corrections took over the management of Mt Eden Corrections Facility which was supported by the Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.
However Davis believes further and more stringent action needs to be taken to ensure effective management is implemented and maintained.