NZ guards sought for Pitcairn Islands

Corrections Department staff are being recruited for secondment to Pitcairn Islands.

The secondments, funded by the British Government, will go ahead only if the Privy Council throws out the appeals of several men convicted of child abuse, the Dominion Post reported today.

Six men were convicted in the 2004 trial, with four of them expected to serve jail sentences. They are free pending the appeals.

Seven New Zealand guards will initially be needed if the men are jailed.

Corrections assistant general manager operations Bryan McMurray said the guards would work a three to four-month rotation, with up to 16 rotations expected.

- NZPA