Corrections takes over Mt Eden

The Herald reports:

The Corrections Department has confirmed plans to take over Serco’s management of Mt Eden Correctional Facility.

Corrections Minister Sam Lotu Iiga said this afternoon that a management team would take over the day to day running of the prison from Monday “for the immediate future”.

Serco’s staff would remain on site, but a Corrections Department Prison Director and their team would oversee the prison. …

As part of Serco’s contract, Government has power to step in and manage the prison either on a temporary or permanent basis.

You wonder what has been discovered for the Government to take this step?

But this is the good with with accountable contracts. If a provider fails to meet standards, then they can be held accountable – either fined, overseen, or ultimately replaced.

Serco has to pay for the cost of the staff stepping in.