A former guard who unlawfully had a firearm and smuggled contraband into Auckland Central Remand Prison never mentioned he had been threatened by prisoners, the Department of Corrections says.
Harry Minisita was sentenced to 400 hours' community service after admitting the offences in the Auckland District Court on Wednesday.
Minisita's lawyer says his client got the pistol only after receiving threats from prisoners.
But Corrections says the prison was never alerted to any threats to his safety.
Northern regional manager Terry Buffery says staff are encouraged to report any behaviour that worries them, and managers work with individuals concerned to address the problem.
The safety of staff is a primary concern, he says.
