Magic mushrooms fueled Kiwi crime spree...

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Magic mushrooms fuel crime spree Magic mushrooms fuel crime spree



Jail time for a 21-year-old man who went on a violent crime spree high on magic mushrooms, kidnapping a man at knifepoint in Tokoroa



A drug-fuelled violent crime spree in Tokoroa, New Zealand,  has landed a young man in jail.





Jeddediah Sorenson has been convicted of kidnapping, supplying methamphetamine and one count of aggravated robbery.





The 21-year-old had used magic mushrooms before he kidnapped another man in June this year for not giving him money to secure a drug deal.





Holding a knife to the victim's throat, he threatened to cut off his fingers and kill his family.





The victim escaped when Sorenson stopped to get petrol.





Judge Joanna Maze sentenced him to three years and four months for the aggravated robbery and kidnapping and 12 months for the drugs charge, to be served concurrently.

Acknowledgements: NewstalkZB

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New Zealand Government bans smoking in prisons from 1 July 2011...

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Will the recently announced policy of the NZ Government to ban smoking in New Zealand from 1 July 2011 have any detrimental affects onprison life - will it cause riots and increased violence within prisons, as claimed by a prison guard's union? Guards have already been threatened in advance.

The Corrections minister, Judith Collins, aptly nicknamed "Crusher", announced the policy yesterday NZ time. She claimed health and safety reasons - second hand smoke and threats to sue for the ban but others cite cheap political expediency  - it will be just a few months short of the next elections.

As for the ban, 67-80% of prisoners in Kiwi prisons smoke. The prisons will have to provide support for those wishing to quit - phone support and nicotine patches. As an ex-smoker I know diet has a lot to do with recovery from the habit - but they won't get any extra food  inside.

PM John Key knows the inmates will get grizzly, but it will be just  too bad! But he and his government don't have to work inside, the guards do. I know there isn't much support out there for many of the nations worst prisoners, but take their 'fags' off them and what do they have left? Just their thoughts. Nearly half of all inmates in NZ prisons have mental health problems anyway, this will make them worse, I would suggest.

Kiwi prison warders prepared for action...

Kiwi prison warders ready for action...


 The equipment is available to prison staff if they suspect violence is imminent. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The Corrections Department has shown off new prison guard safety equipment introduced in all prisons to a parliamentary select committee.



The personal protective equipment includes a bullet-proof vest, a shield, safety boots, knee and arm pads, fire-proof overalls, a baton and a helmet.



Department chief executive Barry Matthews gave the committee a breakdown of the new safety equipment, which has been slowly introduced in the last six months.



"This equipment is not available to the staff all the time. It is accessible by staff when they get an indication of violence that is about to occur."



A pepper spray device used to go in cells without the door having to be opened was also shown.



Mr Matthews said it was still being tested.



Select committee chairwoman Sandra Goudie (National) thanked the department for the display, saying "it is important for us to see what protection correction officers have because of the [Jason Palmer] incident".



American-born prison guard Jason Palmer died last month after being punched by an inmate at Springhill Prison.



He was punched shortly after he and two other prison guards opened the inmate's cell door.



Acknowledgements:  - NZPA

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German reptile collector jailed in NZ for attempted smuggling...

German reptile collector jailed in NZ for attempted smuggling...


A German reptile collector has been jailed in New Zealand for 14 weeks for attempted smuggling and must pay a NZ$5000 fine for plundering New Zealand's wild gecko amd skink populations.

Hans Kurt Kubus, aged 58, will remember NZ well because he will be deported immediately he is released from prison and will never be allowed to return.

He was caught at Christchurch International Airport last December, 2009 , just as he was about to board his flight out of the country with 44 geckos and skinks in compartments in a handsewn package concealed in his underpants.

Acknowledgements: NZPA