Inquiry after prisoner’s sex visit

A prisoner wrongly left unsupervised for half an hour was caught on camera engaging in ‘‘sexual activity’’ with his visiting girlfriend.

Corrections southern regional commissioner Ben Clark confirmed an employment investigation had started and an operational review was under way after the low-security inmate was left unsupervised with his girlfriend at Christchurch Men’s Prison on April 19.

‘‘During the visit, sexual activity took place between the prisoner and the visitor,’’ Clark said.

It is understood the incident was caught on camera. Clark said the matter had been referred to police. The independent Corrections inspectorate would carry out its own investigation.

The prisoner had been charged with misconduct and his girlfriend was issued an exclusion notice, preventing her from visiting for six months.

‘‘Our policies are very clear – staff are to observe all visits and intervene in the event of inappropriate behaviour. This incident is a serious and disappointing breach and those found responsible will be held to account.’’

The incident comes after a major Department of Corrections inquiry last year unearthed ‘‘extremely serious allegations’’ relating to ‘‘a number of substandard management and security practices’’ at the prison.

The findings of the security review were referred to the police, who are investigating.

Three of the jail’s senior staff – prison director John Roper, who is on a final warning, security manager John Cooper and residential unit manager Doug Smith – have been on ‘‘special leave’’ since concerns about ‘‘security procedures’’ at the prison were raised in May last year.

A Corrections review found staff gave ‘‘favourable treatment’’ to some inmates who, according to leaked documents, were given cellphones during covert operations. Cellphones are contraband in prison.

In April last year, Stuff reported Roper and Smith received employment warnings after an inmate at the prison self-harmed while left on his own for several hours in an exercise yard on June 21 last year. The incident took nine days to be flagged at a national level after local staff failed to report it.