The corrections officer sacked from the Otago Corrections Facility (OCF) last month was fired for swapping letters with a prisoner, it was revealed yesterday.
No details of the officer have been revealed but the Department of Corrections has confirmed the prisoner was transferred to another prison the day after the officer was stood down.
The prisoner in question has since completed his sentence.
The department would not define "swapping" or give any other details.
OCF manager Jack Harrison also moved to "clear up any misconceptions among the local community" by confirming the charge of serious misconduct laid against the officer did not involve a sexual relationship or criminal activity with the prisoner.
The revelation comes after the Otago Daily Times further questioned the department over the matter which was first exposed in the newspaper last Friday.
In its response, the department did not disclose whether the officer was male or female, how long the officer had worked for the department or any other details, citing privacy reasons.
All details of the letters - including how many were swapped, the background to them and the nature of their content - were also being kept under wraps.
Mr Harrison said he was made aware of "a possible inappropriate relationship" between an officer and a prisoner in late January.
"This was confirmed to me at the end of January and the officer in question was stood down and an employment investigation launched.
"The outcome of the investigation saw the officer dismissed."
A corrections officer swapping letters with a prisoner breaches the department's code of conduct.
Mr Harrison said the prisoner involved was transferred to another prison the day after the officer was stood down.
He was clearly disappointed with the officer's actions but was fiercely proud of his team at OCF.
"I remain very proud of the staff at OCF and the actions of one staff member should not detract from the hard work, dedication and professionalism shown by our staff."
