EXCLUSIVE

THE New Zealand Defence Force is upgrading its security at Linton Military Camp in the wake of reports that people were breaking in to smuggle contraband to inmates at the neighbouring Manawatu Prison.

Information released under the Official Information Act shows Linton Military Camp had four people walk onto their grounds in 2016 – including one member of the Mongrel Mob.

All that separates Linton Military Camp from the rest of the world is a fence made out of a post and wire stock fence, a portion of deer fencing, and a residential profile aluminium fence – and all that divides the camp from the prison is a chain-link fence with three strands of barbed wire.

A perimeter risk assessment that was conducted at Linton in 2014 showed it had remained virtually unchanged over the past two decades and was not a deterrence or delay for potential intruders.

However, the NZDF confirmed that is about to change as a security upgrade is finally scheduled for Linton Military Camp with $10 million earmarked to upgrade offices and ammunitions storage facilities at Linton.

In 2016, police were asked to do a crime scan and reported there had been a noticeable increase in violence, drug and dishonesty offences in the surrounding area.

About a quarter of the Manawatu Prison population had self-reported gang affiliations and the OIA said known gang members lived very close to Linton Military Camp.

Military Police recorded three incidents of people breaking into Linton Military Camp in 2016 in an attempt to smuggle contraband into Manawatu Prison, which is only separated by a chain-link fence with three strands of barbed wire.

One of these involved a gang associate, who admitted to being part of the Mongrel Mob.

Prison security staff reported that contraband coming into the prison was an increasing problem.

‘‘Some prisoners will go to extreme lengths to introduce contraband and as some prison perimeter fences are close to areas that can be accessed by the public, prisoners’ associates may attempt ‘throw-overs’,’’ Manawatu Prison director Mark Cookson said.

An upgrade to Linton’s security it set for late 2017, to be finished by 2018.

‘‘Components of the project will include a perimeter fence, enhanced CCTV surveillance and front and rear gate hardening,’’ Cookson said.