DEPARTMENT

OF PRISON SERVICES Head Office Wellington

CORRECTIONS
ARA POUTAMA AOTEARDA

11 August 2011

C55540

Kurt Sharpe sharpekurt@gmai(.com

Dear Mr Sharpe I refer to your request dated 13 July 2011 tothe Minister of Corrections, Hon Judith Collins, for information regarding the number of prisoners that have been sexually assaulted during the last annual reporting period. Your request was transferred to the Department of Corrections and has been considered pursuant to the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). More people with histories of violence are being sent to prison. Some of these individuals have a life time of solving problems by using violence and unfortunately this behaviour doesn't stop when they get to prison. While acts of violence are never acceptable, the actual number of serious assaults between prisoners is low, and an absolute testament to the skills and professionalism of staff to control the physical prison environment. Staff know and understand prisoners and actively engage with them to reinforce positive behaviour. Staff are trained in de-escalation techniques, interpersonal skills and tactical communication. We also ensure prisoners are housed safely and securely through measures such as voluntary and directed segregation. I am committed to reducing the rates of serious assaults between prisoners and ensuring that staff have sufficient skills and resources to do this. In addition to any internal misconduct charges, serious assaults are referred to the Police for investigation and formal charges may be laid against perpetrators. The Department records and reports serious assaults on a financial year basis, being 1 July to 30 June. The Department's statistics on assaults are set out in the Annual Report each year, which is available on the Departments website at vww.corrections.qovt.nz. You have requested the number of instances of sexual abuse by prisoners. Any form of sexual contact without consent is considered a serious assault. Sexual contact could be classed as inappropriate touching, sexual violation, or physical assault of a sexual nature. In the 2010/11 financial year there were 5 serious assaults recorded as having an alleged sexual component. This information is reliant on prisoners disclosing the nature ofthe assault.

Phone: +64 4 499 5620, Fax- +64 4 460 3206 Mayfair House, 44-52 Ttie Terrace, Private Box 12QS, Wellington 6140 www.corrGctions.govt.nz

I trust this information is of use to you. You are welcome to contact the Department for clarification of any of the information contained in this response. If you are not satisfied with my response you have the right under section 28(3) of the OIA to ask an Ombudsman to investigate the Department's response to your information request. The Ombudsman's address is: Office ofthe Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington. Yours sincerely

Harry Hawthorn General Manager Prison Services