Give NZ prisons tasers, says Aussie

An Australian prison officer whose staff have access to Taser stun guns, pepper spray, handcuffs and batons says New Zealand jails need similar armouries.

Jim Gray, the president of the Western Australia Department of Corrective Services prison officers union, was yesterday at the funeral service for Jason Palmer.

Mr Gray said there had been a big reduction in the number of attacks at his Perth jail in the three years Tasers had been used.

"We have the ability to call in a Taser and as soon as it appears the prisoners tend to calm down and comply."

Australia has specialist units in jails to deal with serious incidents. The armed offenders squad is used here.

Matt Bindley said his Sydney prison also had an immediate action team, armed with "equipment for any situation" and ready within 10 seconds.

"The prisoners see these guys and know that if they muck [around] they are going to deal with the situation."