Beven Hanlon, the National President of the Corrections Officers Association of NZ, is seeking urgent discussions with the Corrections Department for an explanation of the decision by Management to allow an inmate with a history of violence and firearms to be escorted by Corrections Officers to a meeting outside “the wire”. The escort resulted in the 3 Corrections Officers being held at gunpoint, and to be exposed to unnecessary risk.

Beven Hanlon said that he would like to congratulate the efforts of our members and the Police that were involved in this incident.

He went on to say that this inmate is well known to our members not only for his vast escape history but also for his ability to access firearms even whilst in Police custody.

This is an example of very poor risk analysis and management, and potentially could have put members of the public at risk, as well as the Corrections Officers who were detained.

Prisons have the resources to facilitate this sort of meeting, with minimal risk to the public and prison staff, said Beven Hanlon.

This media release has been authorised by Beven Hanlon
National President of the Corrections Association of New Zealand
Phone 06 844 9378
Mob. 0274 380 442
Email: bjandbev@xtra.co.nz