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Corrections Act 2004

Corrections system - Coercive powers - Searching of prisoners and other persons

98A: Scanner search of prisoners

You could also call this:

"Prison officers can use scanners to check prisoners for forbidden items or health risks at any time."

Illustration for Corrections Act 2004

If you are a prisoner, an officer can use a scanner to search you at any time to find any items you are not allowed to have. This is called a scanner search, which is explained in section 92A(1)(a). The officer can do this to keep you and others safe.

An officer can also use a scanner to check your body temperature to see if you might have a disease that can spread to others. This type of scanner search is explained in section 92A(1)(b). The officer can only do this if they have permission, which is explained in section 103AAA.

The officer must follow the rules when checking your body temperature with a scanner. You can find more information about scanner searches in other parts of the law. The rules are in place to help keep everyone safe.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS996454.

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98: Search of cells, or

"Prison officers can search your cell at any time to keep you and others safe"

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98B: Rub-down search of prisoners, or

"Prison officers can search prisoners by rubbing them down to find forbidden items and keep everyone safe."

Part 2Corrections system
Coercive powers: Searching of prisoners and other persons

98AScanner search of prisoners

  1. An officer may conduct a scanner search (as defined in section 92A(1)(a)) of any prisoner, at any time, for the purpose of detecting any unauthorised item.

  2. An officer may conduct a scanner search (as defined in section 92A(1)(b)) of any prisoner for the purpose of measuring the prisoner’s body temperature to ascertain any risk that they may be carrying a communicable disease.

  3. A scanner search under subsection (2) may only be carried out in accordance with an authorisation under section 103AAA.

Notes
  • Section 98A: inserted, on , by section 28 of the Corrections Amendment Act 2024 (2024 No 41).