New Zealand’s longest-serving prisoner, Dean Wickliffe, is on a hunger strike, claiming he was assaulted by guards at Spring Hill Prison near Meremere in the Waikato.
His lawyer, Annette Sykes, says he was badly beaten after refusing to be double-bunked, suffering black eyes and a deep gash that required hospital treatment.
Wickliffe, of Te Arawa descent, has spent 41 years in and out of prison and was taken back into custody earlier this month.
Sykes also alleges she was denied access to her client, calling the situation a violation of human rights.
Wickliffe began his hunger strike on March 10, protesting his treatment and lack of civil rights.
