The Corrections Department says a female prison officer at the Springhill Prison in north Waikato has been stood-down while an acusation of drug-smuggling is being investigated.
The department says evidence was obtained during a security operation at the prison that indicated the officer was smuggling drugs into the jail.
Chief executive Barry Matthews says there is no excuse for any employee to bring contraband into a prison and any officer found doing so can expect severe disciplinary action and possible criminal charges.
He says the department is determined to stamp out corruption at any level.
The department says no further comment will be made about the officer as an employment investigation is under way.
