Leigh Marsh: Department of Corrections Commissioner on NZ's prison capacity

Despite some frontline police being told to consider the necessity of arrests as Rimutaka Prison is nearly full, Corrections says there isn't a capacity problem. A leaked email reveals our largest prison is nearing maximum occupancy. It warns repeat breach of bail and warrant offenders may be remanded in custody for longer than usual, which officers should consider. Department of Corrections Commissioner Leigh Marsh told Tim Dower that there are more than two-thousand beds free across the country. He says a reduced capacity is running due to staffing challenges, with a cap of about nine-thousand people. But Marsh says if someone needs to come to prison, there is space for them. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.