Leigh Woodman has endured eight parole hearings within six years to fight to keep the man who murdered her 15-year-old daughter behind bars.

Police investigations into the death of an Otago remand prisoner have been stepped up following the involvement of New Zealand's police watchdog in the case.

The Department of Corrections is facing a backlash after introducing random drug and alcohol testing for prison guards.

A child sex offender was paid $26,600 in compensation by the taxpayer under a scheme which has awarded more than $500,000 to prisoners since it came into effect in 2005.

Susan Couch would have been banned from suing the Probation Service under legislation which will give negligent public servants immunity from civil lawsuits.

A murderer serving a life sentence is not ready to be released says the Parole Board. But because he is a mental health patient, he has already been out into the community.

The sole survivor of an attack at an Auckland Returned and Services Association in which three people were murdered is poised to get a payout from the Corrections Department.

Prison bosses have admitted that they expected riots when they banned smoking in jails last year.

A woman visiting her partner in prison was trapped inside for more than three hours despite screaming out for guards and throwing a chair at a window to get their attention.

Dangerous repeat violent offenders and sex offenders could be monitored for the rest of their lives after release from prison, says minister Anne Tolley.