Alleged guard, prisoner relationship investigated

  • 07/07/2016
Alleged guard, prisoner relationship investigated

An inquiry has begun into whether a female prison officer has been having a relationship with a male prisoner at Otago Corrections Facility.

The Department of Corrections confirmed to Newshub it was investigating the allegations this morning and it is understood the guard in question has been stood down pending the outcome.

The prisons director Jack Harrison won't confirm any details surrounding the alleged relationship, citing that it is an employment issue.

Mr Harrison says Corrections staff work with some of New Zealand's most challenging people and it is expected they conduct themselves with the utmost integrity.

"Any person found to be behaving contrary to these standards and the organisations' code of conduct will be held to account.

"Our 8000 staff know the standards expected of them and are fully aware that the Department will take appropriate action if these standards are not met," he says.

Newshub.