Minister fears fake limbs putting prison staff at risk

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LOOK AT LIMBS: Corrections Minister Judith Collins has also questioned whether prisoners need "deluxe" model prosthetics if cheaper versions are available.

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Fears that prisoners might use artificial limbs as weapons or to smuggle drugs has sparked an internal review at the Department of Corrections.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins, worried for the safety of prison staff, has asked department heads for an urgent report. She wants to know whether there have been any incidents, whether staff are at risk and, if so, what can be done to minimise that risk.

Collins has also questioned whether prisoners need "deluxe" model prosthetics if cheaper versions are available.

This month it was revealed that the titanium artificial leg provided by ACC to convicted double-killer Graeme Burton cost $10,000. Burton's right leg was amputated above the knee after he was shot by police following his murderous rampage in hills near Lower Hutt nearly three years ago. Burton, 36, was given his new leg in December.

Earlier this year Collins had razor blades removed from the cells of maximum security prisoners. Two prisoners had died as a result of razor blade injuries.

Collins admitted that denying prisoners a prosthetic limb might raise human rights issues, but she was more concerned for the safety of prison staff than the wellbeing of prisoners.

"I would expect the Department of Corrections would take all steps necessary to ensure their safety, even if that might impinge on the comfort of some prisoners.

"I have asked if such limbs are inherently dangerous in the prison environment, what can be done to remove that risk. It might be that prosthetics made of certain materials might present less risk, even if they mean reduced mobility or comfort to prisoners."

Collins said whether prisoners received artificial limbs was a matter for ACC, but she would expect prosthetic recipients to work. "I don't expect prisoners who are in for serious offences would necessarily be given at taxpayers' expense the deluxe model [prosthetic] to enable them to work when they are not going to be working."

Burton faces a minimum 26 years behind bars for murdering quad-biking Wainuiomata father-of-two Karl Kuchenbecker and shooting four mountain-bikers on January 6, 2007, in the Wainuiomata hills, while on the run from police. He will be searched regularly – and made to remove the limb – to ensure it isn't concealing something sinister such as a weapon or drugs.