Another Rimutaka guard charged

Corrections has been forced to suspend another Rimutaka Prison guard after he was charged by police over an alleged incident involving his sister-in-law.

This brings to 12 the number of Rimutaka staff who have been stood down this year on full pay as inquiries continue into corruption and smuggling allegations. The results of the year-long investigation by Wellington barrister David Patten are expected by Christmas.

The seriousness of the allegations are believed to be partly why Prime Minister Helen Clark elected to move former Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor out of the portfolio.

News of the alleged incident involving the Rimutaka guard and his sister-in-law comes in the same week as a depositions hearing where details emerged of a major riot at the prison in May.

Corrections confirmed the Rimutaka guard had been stood down and charged. However, Herald on Sunday sources confirmed the incident involved the man's sister-in-law who had complained to police after she became suspicious about the content of her drink.

Police officers connected with the case did not return Herald on Sunday calls.