Bullying of guards ‘rife’
A prison guard who died of suspected suicide was allegedly bullied by managers at Spring Hill Corrections Facility.
Prison sources said that prison managers had been ‘‘hauled over the coals’’ over widespread bullying just months before Louisa Rota died.
A spokesman for the Department of Corrections said there was no record of Rota laying a complaint over bullying.
Several sources, who spoke to Stuff on condition of anonymity, alleged bullying was ‘‘rife’’ at the Waikato prison, and management had turned a ‘‘blind eye’’.
A source close to Rota alleged the bullying – over a two-year period – started after she’d taken stress leave.
The source said Rota did not want to make an official complaint because she felt it might make the bullying worse.
‘‘She felt like she was always being watched and had pressure put on her for about two years,’’ the source said.
‘‘She was constantly monitored and they were nitpicking and made her aware they were doing that and trying to find anything they could.’’
The prison source said that Rota was upset by the bullying because she ‘‘loved her job’’ and was ‘‘proud of the work’’ she did.
After Rota’s death, her remains were brought into the gatehouse – at the request of Rota’s family – so she could be farewelled by her colleagues.
Corrections National Commissioner Rachel Leota said there was no evidence to suggest Rota’s death was related to bullying.
‘‘She had not raised any concerns that we were aware of and, despite staff remaining in close contact with her family, we have had no indication from them to suggest bullying or harassment was a concern for her. If anyone has information relating to any allegation, we would welcome them to provide it to us, so that we can investigate.’’
Leota said she was also not aware of any staff member expressing thoughts of self harm as a result of bullying or harassment. Rota was a ‘‘muchliked and highly respected’’ staff member and her death was ‘‘incredibly painful and highly emotional’’ for family, friends and colleagues, Leota said.
The Corrections union confirmed it was aware of Rota’s case but refused to comment.
A spokesman for Rota’s family did not want to comment.
Claims of bullying within Corrections appear to stem far beyond Rota’s case.
It is understood that in September 2018, managers at Spring Hill were called to a meeting about multiple bullying incidents. Corrections regional commissioner Terry Buffery is said to have called the meeting after seven managers reported numerous incidents.
Buffery raised a concerns that the managers in the building where the alleged bullying occurred were being referred to as the ‘‘Toxic 10’’ by staff.
He gave managers three weeks to draw up and sign a ‘‘behavioural contract’’ outlining the need to treat people with respect and ‘‘remain professional’’. Leota confirmed the commissioner met with the prison’s management team.
She also confirmed that prior to the meeting, management developed a contract about how they would ‘‘work as a team and hold each other to account for success’’.
Data shows Corrections received hundreds of complaints involving bullying and sexual harassment of staff during the five years to December 2018.
Figures released to Stuff show 159 complaints of bullying or harassment (including sexual harassment) were made by staff in relation to other staff over that period. About 50 per cent of the complaints investigated ended in disciplinary action. In about 20 per cent of complaints, no evidence was found to support a breach. Eight staff who were the subject of a complaint resigned prior to the complaint being resolved and a further eight resigned during the investigation. There were up to 21 complaints still to be investigated.
Corrections, which has a preventing harassment and bullying policy, recently revised its employee code of conduct (that includes bullying) and launched of an 0800 Integrity Support Line, through which staff can report concerns of wrongdoing.
The Public Service Association union has members at Spring Hill prison.
National secretary Glenn Barclay said Corrections needed to investigate and address the workplace culture at Spring Hill prison. ‘‘Processes for confronting any signs of bullying or harassment need to be especially strong whenever staff are under pressure.’’
The PSA was seeking discussions about patterns of behaviour at the prison. WHERE TO GET HELP: 1737, Need to talk? – Free call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor
Depression.org.nz – 0800 111 757 or text 4202
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24/7.