My prison story

A personal story of working at Auckland Prison, as a prison officer, for sixteen years.

Introduction and Enlistment

It was the mid-1990s, I was living in Auckland and was looking for a job. Because I lived on the North Shore, I sought work somewhere nearby as commuting problems were a developing problem in Auckland at that time.

Auckland Prison (Paremoremo) is on the North Shore so I enquired about employment opportunities there, and was accepted for work as a prison officer. After completing several weeks recruit training at Trentham, Wellington, I was ready for work.

Auckland Prison

Auckland Prison is about eight kilometres from Albany, Auckland and includes the national maximum security institution as well as a medium security institution. Each of those facilities houses approximately 240-260 prisoners in units of 48 men. There is a unit in the maximum facility for prisoners with Special Needs. There are also several minimum security sixty bed units one of which is the child sex offenders therapy unit. Total prisoner muster is approximately 650 male prisoners. Mainstream units are where the majority of prisoners are housed. Segregated units are for child sex offenders, prisoners who fear for their safety, and generally, weaker prisoners.

Prisoner placements within a prison are determined by their security classification. It is primarily a tool for management and is an assessment of their risk of escape, being violent towards other prisoners or staff, are actively involved in criminal gangs and whether they engage in rehabilitative programmes and other matters. Individual security classifications are reviewed on a six-monthly basis, or on occurrence if needed.

In my first year, I rotated between several units, the normal policy to familiarise new staff with the systems within the prison. I spent several months working with minimum security prisoners followed by time with medium security segregated prisoners.

My permanent placement was to a medium security mainstream unit where I remained for four years.

Working with Prisoners

I worked with a very mixed group of prisoners and it took time to learn the ropes of understanding, assisting and effectively managing them. I found that keeping to the basic principles of be- ing fair, firm and consistent seemed to work best and that became my way of going about my job. Imprisonment keeps prisoners housed in close proximity to each other and occasions when tension, atmosphere and personal behaviour rising to unacceptable levels were frequent. If the warning signs were recognised in time, some form of conflict resolution would be applied by staff to settle things down and bring about a degree of calm. Otherwise, someone could possibly be injured, at the very least, and damage to personal and institutional property could occur.

Monday – Friday. Daily Routines. These were important as prisoners respond well to routine. Three staff on duty. Unlock was at 8am, followed by breakfast, then for an hour when the cleaning of the unit, removing rubbish, etc. was completed. During the morning, prisoners attend either outdoor activities, education (literacy, numeracy) or rehabilitative (offence related, alcohol/drugs, etc.).

Prisoners were returned to their cells for lockup for staff lunch break. Unlock again at 1pm with afternoon rou- tines similar to morning. Lock up again by 4.40pm as day staff off duty at 5pm. Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday.

Daily Routines. Similar unlock and lockup times. Generally quieter days to allow prisoners approved visitors attend. Two staff on duty. Visits and a variety of church services conducted by outside providers.

My Memories

In amongst the structured days, the tight routines, the tension, the threats, the arguing, the anticipated hissy fits and the tough, concerning dangerous times, I recall moments of high humour, peaceful, quiet times when everyone was minding their own business and things were going well. I recall listening to talented young men playing amazing guitar and singing beautifully, other equally talented men producing beautiful bone and wood carvings. Sadly, there are many wasted lives lying around in our prisons. As a job, sixteen years at Auckland Prison worked well for me.

After those first four/five years where I learned the ropes, I received a promotion and enjoyed supervisory duties for the rest of my time. There were always occasions when it was tough going, frequently dangerous, but ultimately, enjoyable, and rewarding.

I have many memories of my time in that place, far more good ones than bad.

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