April 13, 2015
Prison cuts a Serco subsidy
Labour’s Corrections spokesperson Kelvin Davis says the closure of prison units around the country is about privatisation rather than better service.
Parts of Rimutaka, Rangipo and Waikeria are set to close over the next year with the loss of more than 250 jobs.
Corrections chief executive Ray Smith says the units are old and tired and the inmates can be better catered for in the new Wiri Prison.
Mr Davis says the units are tired because the government ran them down.
He says it’s all about ensuring the profitability of Wiri for its owner, international outsourcing firm Serco.
"In order for (Wiri) to be filled they need to close the regional prisons which is a kick in the teeth for the likes of Waikeria. The loss of jobs there is going to hurt the economy of Te Awamutu by about $11.5 million a year. Rangipo is going to close down and that is going to hurt Turangi by about $4.5 million a year," Mr Davis says.
In 2013 Serco had to pay the British government back millions of pounds it overcharged for electronic tagging of offenders.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH KELVIN DAVIS CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjgwODY=
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