Olive green is out and blue is in for New Zealand’s correctional staff as a sartorial revamp begins.
Justice Minister Judith Collins today viewed the design concepts of the new uniform for Corrections’ 3,400 custodial staff.
Ms Collins says it is high-time for a change.
“This will be the first comprehensive review of the Corrections officer uniforms since 1976,” she says. “Most people wouldn’t want to be wearing the same style of clothing they had in the 1970s – our Corrections officers are no different.”
The current olive green uniform is said to “uncomfortable” and “old fashioned”, according to feedback from correctional staff.
Ms Collins says the new uniform will be designed by a New Zealand clothing manufacturer, and staff have had extensive input into the design process.
The new blue uniform is hoped to align the department with the wider justice sector.
A final decision will be made by the end of the year; however, it is unlikely to be significantly different from the design concepts.
The uniform will be provided from within existing budgets for a similar price to existing uniforms – approximately $1,628 for males and $1,887 for females.
The new uniform is expected to be rolled out from the middle of next year.
3 News