Two senior Corrections staff under investigation

Two senior Corrections staff are under investigation including one who faces an allegation of sexual harassment.

By Sam Sherwood of rnz.co.nz

The other person has been suspended following multiple allegations of bullying and harassment.

Corrections said the two cases, which both involve staff at Mt Eden prison, are separate matters and do not relate to each other.

RNZ understands both involve senior staff, however they are not at an executive level.

In response to questions from RNZ, Corrections deputy chief executive people and capability, Rebecca Powell, confirmed in a statement both staff worked in Pae Ora at Mt Eden prison.

According to Corrections' website the Pae Ora Group is "responsible for delivering evidence-informed, culturally responsive health and rehabilitation services to people under Corrections management".

Powell said Corrections could confirm one person had been placed on alternative duties outside of the workplace following an allegation of sexual harassment.

"Another staff member within Pae Ora has been suspended following allegations from multiple internal and external sources of bullying and harassment," she said.

"These are separate matters and do not relate to each other."

Powell said Corrections was one of the largest government departments in New Zealand with about 11,000 staff.

"The overwhelming majority of our people act with integrity, honesty and professionalism in what is often a high pressure and challenging environment.

"We are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are free from bullying and harassment. Our clear expectation is that staff uphold the standards of behaviour in our Code of Conduct and comply with the law."

Powell said the outcome of any employment investigation cannot be pre-determined. Any employment investigation process must follow the requirements of the Employment Relations Act and uphold procedural integrity.

A staff member may be suspended when the staffer has admitted to misconduct but there would be some delay before a decision is made on any disciplinary action to be taken, or if the allegations were of such a serious nature that it is not appropriate for the staff member to continue to perform their duties or to remain in the workplace while an investigation is undertaken.

A staffer could also be suspended if their presence in the workplace or their contact with colleagues or offenders "might hamper a full and fair investigation" and/or potentially raise a safety risk to other staff, people in Corrections management, or themselves.

RNZ earlier revealed that Corrections commissioner of custodial services Leigh Marsh was facing an employment investigation.

In response to questions about the inquiry into Marsh, Corrections chief executive Jeremy Lightfoot said Corrections could confirm one senior leader would be investigated by an external independent investigator.

"The concerns raised relate to alleged conduct around management processes and bullying within the employment relationship."

Marsh was one of three operational deputy chief executives who is going to undertake a six-month secondment into different DCE roles within Corrections.

"I had already been considering moving the operational DCEs into each other's areas later this year. This is because I believe these secondments will allow each operational DCE to deepen their understanding of each other's respective areas so we can continue building a coherent, cohesive organisation.

"Their employment agreements were developed to allow such secondments to take place.

"The decision to do this now was brought forward to ensure that a thorough and fair employment process for both parties in relation to the above complaint can be carried out."

Marsh will be moving to Pae Ora.

RNZ asked Corrections what involvement Marsh would have with the investigations.

"In the two cases you are referring to, these were initiated while Juanita Ryan was deputy chief executive Pae Ora so any tier 2 (that is, deputy chief executive level) involvement in these matters, if required, will remain with her."