August 20, 2019
Prison management undermines lofty kaupapa goals
The Chief Ombudsman has slammed Corrections for policies at the Ngāwhā prison that undermine its supposed vision of a kaupapa Māori-based culture which would aid reintegration into the community.
Peter Boshier made a surprise inspection of the Northland Regional Corrections Facility in February.
He found even though high security prisoners were transferred out six years ago, Corrections still ran it like a high security prison.
Consequences included prisoners urinating and even defecating in the exercise yard because once they were in the yard their cell doors were locked.
They were also denied proper access to drinking water in the yard.
Judge Boshier says although 47 percent of the prison’s population was Māori, cultural provision was limited and relationships between the prison and iwi were fragile.
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