Convicted murderer Phillip John Smith claims a corrections officer helped him escape custody last month.
In a statement released through his lawyer Tony Ellis this evening, Smith, 40, said a Department of Corrections official assisted in helping him obtain a passport.
Smith said he received "numerous benefits" from this officer between 2011 and November 2012, including a smart phone, movies and mail service while he was in prison.
He has also claimed the officer suggested he consider escaping to South America.
Smith was arrested at a Rio de Janeiro hostel, after fleeing New Zealand while on a 72 hour 'limited release' from Spring Hill Prison.
He said the officer provided him with a passport application, assisted with passport photos, then posted it once completed.
Corrections northern regional commissioner Jeanette Burns said the claims haven't been substantiated, but have been passed on to police to investigate.
- NZME
