By Maggie Tait and Laura McQuillan of NZPA Wellington, June 29 NZPA - Changes to ban smoking in prisons do not need to be so sudden, Labour leader Phil Goff says, as concerns are raised the move will increase violence behind bars.

By Maggie Tait and Laura McQuillam of NZPA Wellington, June 29 NZPA - Former prison manager Celia Lashlie is backing prison staff union the Corrections Association over its concerns banning smoking will see more violence in jails.

By Paloma Migone of NZPA Wellington, June 16 NZPA - The Corrections Department showed off new prison guard safety equipment rolled out in all New Zealand prisons to a parliamentary select committee today.

Wellington, Dec 18 NZPA - The Corrections Association has lost a court challenge over extended double-bunking in prisons.

Wellington, Dec 16 NZPA - Cellphone jamming technology is working in all prisons with the exception of Auckland Prison which houses a transmission tower, Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews said today.

Wellington, Oct 21 NZPA - Corrections Minister Judith Collins says she is confident Department of Corrections staff had "got the message" no corruption would be tolerated. Her comments follow a second Rimutaka Prison guard being arrested on drugs charges.

By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, Oct 14 NZPA - A Chief Probation Officer role will be created to oversee a revamp of the Community Probation Service (CPS).

Wellington, Sept 23 NZPA - Having the military ready to run prisons is a standard contingency plan and not preparation to lock out guards in an industrial dispute, Corrections Minister Judith Collins says.

Wellington, Sept 23 NZPA - The military are ready to step in and run prisons if industrial unrest escalates, Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews told MPs today.

Wellington, Aug 27 NZPA - Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews is confident an arrangement where prison union members are paid to conduct union work is all above board.