Phil in Paris
12-21-2004, 10:22 PM
20 December 2004
By YVONNE MARTIN
Canterbury prison boss Paul Monk has used his internal Christmas newsletter to appeal for help in driving out staff who leak stories to the media.
Concerned about negative media reports on prisons, Monk's letter – also given to The Press – has challenged senior officers to help turn attitudes around.
"Sadly, we have a very small minority of staff who act as a corrosive element within the service by putting down new staff, by encouraging non-compliance with core systems, by leaking false and negative stories to the media and by knocking every positive initiative," wrote Monk, the South Island prisons regional manager.
"I would personally ask all positive staff, but particularly our senior staff, to challenge the behaviours of these negative individuals and, where necessary, to assist in my efforts to remove these people from the service."
The Corrections Department has been in the news lately for two escapes from Paparua Prison's east wing and over an inquiry into the renegade "goon squad".
Draft documents from the inquiry were published in The Press last month.
New Zealand First MP Ron Mark said Monk should focus on uniting his staff rather than a witch-hunt to find the source of media leaks.
"Rather than highlighting dissension, he should be building confidence. Rather than shooting messengers, he should be listening to the words."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/0,2106,3133410a6530,00.html
By YVONNE MARTIN
Canterbury prison boss Paul Monk has used his internal Christmas newsletter to appeal for help in driving out staff who leak stories to the media.
Concerned about negative media reports on prisons, Monk's letter – also given to The Press – has challenged senior officers to help turn attitudes around.
"Sadly, we have a very small minority of staff who act as a corrosive element within the service by putting down new staff, by encouraging non-compliance with core systems, by leaking false and negative stories to the media and by knocking every positive initiative," wrote Monk, the South Island prisons regional manager.
"I would personally ask all positive staff, but particularly our senior staff, to challenge the behaviours of these negative individuals and, where necessary, to assist in my efforts to remove these people from the service."
The Corrections Department has been in the news lately for two escapes from Paparua Prison's east wing and over an inquiry into the renegade "goon squad".
Draft documents from the inquiry were published in The Press last month.
New Zealand First MP Ron Mark said Monk should focus on uniting his staff rather than a witch-hunt to find the source of media leaks.
"Rather than highlighting dissension, he should be building confidence. Rather than shooting messengers, he should be listening to the words."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/0,2106,3133410a6530,00.html