An investigation has found "systemic" issues with the way prisoners were handled at Gisborne police station, after a man in custody set fire to his cell.
NC Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The Independent Police Conduct Authority reviewed an internal police investigation, which found custody staff were not recording prisoner movements, staff training was makeshift and contraband was often present.
In May last year, one of 12 prisoners obtained a cigarette lighter from another prisoner in an adjacent cell and set fire to toilet paper and strips of towel.
Staff evacuated some of the cells and one prisoner was taken to hospital as a precaution.
"Smoke from the fire activated the cell's fire alarm. Custody staff evacuated four prisoners... and extinguished the fire.
"One prisoner was taken to hospital as a precaution, but was soon returned to the custody unit.
"Despite searching the prisoners and the cells, the cigarette lighter was not found for several days."
The investigation also found staff did not properly investigate the cause of the fire and the police have produced a plan designed to improve the station's management of prisoners.
"Several of these recommendations have now been implemented. Custody staff on duty at the time were reminded about best practice expectations," the authority said.
