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Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor was yesterday fending off calls for heads to roll after a scathing report on prisoner transport revealed that assurances made to the Ombudsmen in 2004 had not been acted on.
The report revealed that the Ombudsmen were told in March that year that a
set of national standards for prisoner vans had been developed and were being introduced in new vehicles.
But in yesterday's report, Ombudsmen John Belgrave and Mel Smith said despite being given the impression that such measures were well under way three years ago, they were "most disturbed to discover that our expectations have still not been met".
National Party corrections spokesman Simon Power said the department had misled the Ombudsmen and, therefore, the public. It left Mr O'Connor with "no credibility" and he should resign.
Yesterday, Mr O'Connor said he had been alarmed to learn the 2004 standards had not been introduced, given the Ombudsmen were told they had been.
"There is no excuse. There is no justification. And while I have not yet identified the person who may have sent that report to the Ombudsmen, it won't happen again."
Mr O'Connor said his senior managers were "on notice" and he expected a culture change in the department.
However, he said, it had previously been difficult to isolate who was accountable on the issue.
A recent internal review of Corrections' head office had established clearer lines of accountability "from top to bottom".
However, Mr Power said it was always "self-evident" who was responsible. "The minister is, and the CEO is. People like ministers and CEOs get paid big bikkies to keep an eye on these things. I don't think he [Mr O'Connor] has got any credibility to remain in the job after that report."
Mr O'Connor said he was considering whether the department should take over all prisoner transport after Chubb - which holds contracts for about a quarter of prison transport until 2009 - gave notice that it wanted to sell off its contracts for custodial transport in New Zealand and Australia.
He said the department would implement all recommendations in the report.
Mr O'Connor said some - such as allowing prisoners to open emergency escape hatches - would have to be watered down because of public safety and pragmatism.
Another example was over enforcement of the ban on matches and lighters.
"These guys will stick things up places where the sun don't shine. We do not have a legal ability to do internal searches. "
While the safety of prisoners and guards was important, it would be wrong to put in cushioned squabs that prisoners could use as weapons, or to put in ventilation systems through which prisoners could escape.
Mr O'Connor said some other recommendations had already been implemented, such as separating prisoners younger than 18 from adults.
