New Zealand
Seen in the press
Read our selection of press reports about this country. This is a short description of prison conditions on a national scale. It gives an account of the preceding year’s events.
New Zealand: prison-grown fresh veggies feeding families in need
Fresh vegetables can be expensive at Christmas time, but needy Auckland families will be able to get some for free this year courtesy of New Zealand’s toughest prison. Boxes filled with fresh prison-grown veggies have been donated to the Salvation Army to distribute among families and individuals.Source — RNZ
New Zealand: measles lockdown - prisoners isolated, babies quarantined over fears disease has hit women's prison
Prisoners have been isolated and babies put into quarantine at Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility over fears of a measles outbreak. On Tuesday night, Corrections informed Newshub there were concerns three female prisoners had been exposed to measles. They will remain isolated until their immunity…Source — Newshub
New Zealand: Hōkai Rangi, the plan to reduce Māori in prison from 52 percent to 16
The Department of Corrections has launched a major new strategy focused on treating prisoners with respect and giving them more access to whānau.Source — RNZ
New Zealand: measles in Mt Eden prison
A case of measles has been confirmed at the Mt Eden Corrections Facility.Deputy National Commissioner Andy Milne said on Saturday evening one prisoner was confirmed as having measles after showing symptoms the day prior.Source — NZ Herald
New Zealand: Invercargill prison contravened UN prison treatment rules
At risk inmates at Invercargill Prison are being forced to stay in cells without running water or toilets, while others are not receiving support for their mental health needs, the Ombudsman says.Source — Stuff
New Zealand: $1 million spent on slushy machines for prison guards
More than $1 million of taxpayer money has been spent on 193 slushy machines in a bid to keep prison guards cool over summer.Source — NewstalkZB
New Zealand: prison population tips over 10,000 again, but still 1500 below forecast
The prison muster has tipped over 10,000 again, but the declining trend has Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis looking to phase out double bunking and retiring “cramped horrible cells”. The current prison population, considered to be at crisis level a year ago, was at 10,039 last week - 300 higher than…Source — NZ Herald
Uruguay: cárceles “pobres” e “inhumanas”
This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish
New Zealand: prison drugs, contraband vary in South
The latest figures for prison contraband and drug testing have revealed a mixed picture in the South.Source — Otago Daily Times
New Zealand: how sport in prison could help stop reoffending
A sports programme which is being piloted in New Zealand prisons aims for a reduction in reoffending. Not only does physical activity help prisoners with their wellbeing and mental health, but it could help them into employment, according to UK Professor of Criminological Psychology Rosie Meek. “Sport…Source — Stuff
New Zealand: ICRC hands over prison support programme to ZPCS
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) last week handed over its decade-long prison support programme aimed at improving prison management, infrastructure rehabilitation, food supply chain management and treatment of detained mental health patients, to the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional…Source — News Day
New Zealand: peace above punishment, how restorative justice works for offenders and victims
Punishment has long been integral to Kiwis’ sense of justice. But those pursuing restorative remedies are finding more empowerment in healing than punitive action, writes Alex Loo.Source — Stuff
New Zealand: who's in prison? [video]
The government wants to reduce the number of people in New Zealand prisons. But why?Source — RNZ
New Zealand: mega-prisons overseas have been absolute failures
We’re being told to look at the inroads being made with some US prisons to determine how New Zealand should progress with our justice system.Source — NewstalkZB
New Zealand: alarming report uncovers several faults at Waikeria Prison
A new report into conditions at Waikeria Prison has found several faults - including long lock-up times, understaffing and a lack of a fence. Each individual unit at the prison is fenced, but the overall site is not - which the report by the Office of the Inspectorate says makes security at the prison…Source — Newshub
New Zeland: Dutch prison system offers inspiration to New Zealand
New Zealand’s prison population is skyrocketing, and our jails are at breaking point. The Netherlands has the opposite problem - they’re closing down prisons because inmate numbers have plummeted.Source — News hub
New Zealand: fewer women to be jailed under new government strategy to curb growth in crime
Fewer women will be sent to prison under a new programme to try and curb growth in crime among Kiwi females.Source — The Press
New Zealand: corrections officers bashed in riot at Christchurch Men's Prison
An inmate has admitted bashing prison officers during a riot at Christchurch Men’s Prison in November. Rawiri Graham Richardson, 26, was with a group of prisoners who allegedly attacked the officers after refusing to go back to their cells.Source — Stuff
New Zealand: alcohol and drug court pilot gains an extension after early results
A pilot of a special court that diverts offenders with alcohol and drug dependency from prison into treatment has been extended. Justice Minister Amy Adams said initial analysis showed the Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court reduced the likelihood of reoffending by about 15 per cent in the short-term,…Source — NZ Herald
New Zealand: first look inside $300m Auckland Prison rebuild [video]
Heart-beat detectors, security doors that unlock with a fingerprint scanner and a formidable five-layered fence are part of a complete $300m rebuild of Auckland Prison. The rebuild of New Zealand’s only men’s maximum security prison at Paremoremo is one of the area’s biggest infrastructure projects.Source — NZ Herald
New Zealand's bulging prison population 'unprecedented'
The growth of the prison population is “unprecedented” and “unanticipated”, according to the Budget released on Thursday by Finance Minister Steven Joyce.Source — Stuff
New-Zealand: teens in youth prison allege abuse cover-up
Teenage boys at a youth prison told visiting watchdogs how staff hit them “on the body where it won’t mark” during fight clubs held away from CCTV cameras.Source — Newstalk ZB
New-Zealand: youth residences violent, bleak and prison-like
A report into youth residences has uncovered allegations of regular bullying, fight clubs and a “determination” to stay quiet about serious violence and abuse.Source — Newshub
New Zealand's use of seclusion in prison lambasted
New Zealand’s high use of seclusion and restraints in prisons and other facilities has been criticised in an international report on the practices.Source — RNZ
