Latest fromDepartment of Corrections

Voters back Harawira, but only by a whisker
Loyalty transferring with candidate from Maori Party to new Mana group.

Prisons trial carrots as alternative to cigarettes
Prison inmates are being given carrots as an alternative to cigarettes to help them break the tobacco habit.

Boy, 14, caught trying to bring cannabis into prison
Prison authorities have caught out a 14-year-old boy who tried to take cannabis hidden in his shoe into Hawke's Bay Regional Prison.

Convicted double murderer treated for cancer
Convicted double murderer Mark Lundy has been leaving prison for medical treatment, the Department of Corrections has confirmed today.

Firm set to run Mt Eden prison criticised over UK death
A company due to take over the management of the Mt Eden prison has been criticised over the death of a boy, 14, in a UK institution.

Guard loses bid to appeal firing
A Rimutaka prison guard has been denied the chance to challenge a determination of the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) after he was fired for serious misconduct.

Prison guards charged with smuggling contraband into jail
Two Auckland prison guards have today been charged with smuggling contraband - including a controlled drug - into jail for inmates. One of the men also faces a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Auckland prison guards arrested
Two Auckland prison guards were arrested today and face a number of charges after a joint operation between police and the Department of Corrections.

Govt calls for tenders on PPP prison
The Government has called for expressions of interest for design, construction and operation of a new privately run prison.

IRD, Education chiefs get top state sector pay hikes
Among the 24 state sector CEOs whose performance over the year had been reviewed, six were paid more, five were paid less and 13 stayed the same.

Drunk woman accused of biting officer
A male police officer was allegedly bitten by a drunk woman as he took her to the police station, leaving him requiring medical attention.

Career criminal earned six-figure income in prison
One of NZ's most-notorious career criminals pulled in a six-figure income while in jail - then picked up legal aid as well.

Police probe prison union over spending
Police have launched an investigation into the prison guards' union with a raid on the organisation's offices.

Prisons to become smoke-free from next year
Department of Corrections bosses found taxpayers could be liable for lawsuits from prison guards exposed to inmates' second-hand smoke.