A visitor looks at Fujifilm's digital cameras at the Camera & Photo Imaging Show 2013 in Yokohama, south of Tokyo January 31, 2013. Fujifilm Holdings Corp fell as much as 3.2 percent to 1,766 yen to a one-week low after the photo film maker cut its o
IN PHOTO: A visitor looks at Fujifilm's digital cameras at the Camera & Photo Imaging Show 2013 in Yokohama, south of Tokyo January 31, 2013. Fujifilm Holdings Corp fell as much as 3.2 percent to 1,766 yen to a one-week low after the photo film maker cut its operating profit forecast for the year ending March by 20 percent to 110 billion yen. Reuters/Yuya Shino

New Zealand’s Corrections officers in high security prisons are in for a hi-tech upgrade. They will soon be fitted with body-mounted cameras as a "de-escalating tool”. So, thousands of cameras are being rolled out to high-security prisons around New Zealand after successful trials that started in 2014. Initially, the prisons of Auckland and Rimutaka will get the body cameras.

Using body cameras in prisons as a "de-escalating tool" is considered the world’s first. The “record” button of the camera needs to be activated if violence erupts. The prospect of filming a violent prisoner makes him quiet in most cases of violent incidents. "We've found the majority of the time the prisoner will just walk away when that button's pushed," programme manager Leigh Marsh said. On a few occasions in the past, Police Commissioner Mike Bush had said the police are watching the Corrections trials and Assistant Commissioner Mike Rusbatch also confirmed the possible deployment of cameras, if the parameters are satisfactory.

Safety Aspect

As for the hi-tech features that assure safety, the wearable cameras and stab-resistant body armour for prison guards would greatly reduce disruptive incidents, according to Corrections Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga. The cameras will also be tried in Arohata Prison, near Wellington. Operationally, the cameras are mountable on the body armour of the guards. The minister said the use of cameras along with lightweight stab-resistant body armour will keep the staff and prisoners safer.

Regarding the new body armour, the minister said it is lighter, compact and more comfortable than existing stab-resistant body armour. Some 3500 stab-resistant vests would be rolled out to "frontline" prison staff. Other steps taken to protect Corrections staff include supplying of batons, pepper spray and spit hoods. The staff are also being trained in "de-escalation" techniques for quelling tensions.

New Graduates

Meanwhile, the new batch of prison guards has graduated. A group of 33 men and women, drawn from diverse cultural backgrounds were presented with certificates and uniform epaulettes at a ceremony at the Corrections head office in Wellington recently.

Acting deputy chief executive Vincent Arbuckle called up the new graduates to observe three values-- making a difference in offenders' lives, working safely in a potentially dangerous environment and acting with integrity, reports Stuff.Co.NZ. "Regrettably, a small number of our staff have compromised their integrity in the past and lost their careers, families, livelihoods and sometimes freedom also. Don't let that be you," he said.

(For feedback/comments, contact the writer at k.kumar@ibtimes.com.au)

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