New safety equipment for frontline prison officers has been officially launched by Corrections Minister Judith Collins.
Stab-resistant body armour, spit-hoods and batons will be used by specialist advanced control and restraint teams.
About $1 million is being spent on the new equipment which prison management says will only be used as a last resort.
All prison officers are now receiving training in communication and skills in calming any potential problems before they get out of hand.
Ms Collins says serious assaults on prison officers are decreasing, with eleven in the 2008/09 financial year and none since last July.
She says it is too early to say there is a trend, but hopes the new training and equipment will reduce the risk to officers.
