New Zealand
Seen in the press
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New Zealand: prison labour used to build new parts of Waikeria Prison
Prison labour is being used to build the new parts of Waikeria Prison, the site of a riot 18 months ago.Source — RNZ
New Zealand: Public-private partnership prison to experience same problems when taken over by government
“Once there is a take-over, they will be subjected to the pool of challenges we face at the Department of Correctional Services,” acting national commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale said. Thobakgale made the statement when briefing the portfolio committee on their readiness to take over the Mangaung a…Source — IOL
New Zealand: drug treatment in prison environment "very ineffective", counsellor says
Corrections cut its AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug) Brief Support Programme and its AOD Intermediate Treatment Programme in 2018, which has seen a massive drop in the number of prisoners receiving treatment. Corrections continue to offer drug treatment programmes ranging from three to 12 months long,…Source — RNZ
New Zealand: waikeria prison's role as a flashpoint for public debate about jails
There are now three investigations under way, as well as a High Court civil rights case by the prisoners against the Attorney General and Corrections, and other claims against the Crown in the Waitangi Tribunal. Public debate about how prisons are run and their place in society has also heated up.I…Source — Stuff
New Zealand: prison suicide attempt response suggests 'systemic issues'
Documents obtained by RNZ shows Auckland Women’s Prison planned to keep Mihi Bassett in a segregation unit known as the pound “indefinitely” - breaking laws governing how, and how long, prisoners can be held there. Guards also threatened to pepper-spray her minutes after she attempted suicide. In o…Source — RNZ News
New Zealand: treatment at Auckland women's prison 'degrading' and 'inhumane' - judge
Corrections broke its own rules and regulations multiple times in its treatment of Mihi Bassett and Karma Cripps, who were gassed in their cells and forced to perform a humiliating ritual to be fed, Manukau District Court Judge David McNaughton says. His ruling also confirms the women had to remov…Source — Rnz
New Zealand: Waikeria protests put a spotlight on prison conditions
The recent six-day Waikeria protest highlighted problems at that prison, but it is not unique. The December Ombudsman’s report on Auckland Prison at Paremoremo similarly identified poor cell ventilation, evening meals served as early as 2.30pm and 3.30pm, prisoners locked up in cells 22–23 hours a…Source — Newsroom
Nouvelle-Zélande: une prison entièrement détruite après six jours d’émeutes
This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: French
New Zealand: Auckland prisoners confined to cells for up to 29 hours at a time
Women at an Auckland prison have been routinely confined to their cells for periods of up to 29 hours at a stretch - well outside the law, which says they should get at least one hour out of their cells a day. RNZ took evidence of the lockdown hours including a recently released prisoner’s diary, t…Source — Newshub
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…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 t…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. “Sp…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 Correcti…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 pri…Source — Newshub
