The number of prisoners flown south by Corrections on chartered flights increased more than fivefold over the previous two years. A source said prisoners were usually flown on a chartered Air Chathams Fairchild Metroliner, capable of seating 19 passengers. Corrections national commissioner Rachel Leota refused to divulge the cost of the flights, saying first such information was ''not recorded in a way that it can be readily provided''. The department earlier had said prisoners were alsotransported on commercial flights, but only under exceptional circumstances. ''It also means that prisoners are not spending long periods of time in a cell inside a prisoner transport vehicle.''

Source: Otago Daily Times May 22, 2019 16:52 UTC