The Chief Ombudsman, Peter Boshier, today released his report on progress towards improving the conditions and treatment of prisoners at Invercargill Prison.
The report found that two thirds of the 18 recommendations he made in 2016 were being actioned, including that cells are kept in a clean and decent state of repair.
Invercargill Prison is now cleaner, tidier and in better repair than it was three years ago, and general living conditions for most prisoners have improved, the report outlines.
Mr Boshier however, says he is concerned about the quality of care and management provided to prisoners held in the Intervention and Support Unit (ISU).
The purpose of an ISU is to enable the observation and safe management of prisoners with current or ongoing mental health needs who may be at risk of suicide or self-harm.
"At the time of my inspection, there was no evidence of ISU prisoners receiving any therapeutic activities, interventions or support for their mental distress," says Mr Boshier.
In April 2019, Inspectors also found that at-risk prisoners are being held in "dry cells" - cells without toilets or running water - when the ISU’s "safer cells" are full.
"‘This is a contravention of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners," says Mr Boshier.
The Chief Ombudsman also commends the introduction of two new cultural and arts programmes for a small group of prisoners awaiting trial.
"I welcome these culturally informed initiatives but I remain concerned about the conditions in which all remand prisoners are held,’" Mr Boshier says.
"‘Remand prisoners continue to be double-bunked in cells built for one. The prison’s lack of internal recreation space and purposeful activities means the majority of remand prisoners remain locked in their cell or in the yard, with few constructive things to do with their time," he says.
The Chief Ombudsman has made five recommendations for safeguarding prisoners’ human rights, following his most recent inspection.
The Department of Corrections has agreed to address the issues raised by the Chief Ombudsman, some of which are being addressed on a nation-wide basis.
New Zealand signed up to the United Nations’ Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) in 2007.
The Chief Ombudman’s focus is on making sure prisons have sufficient safeguards in place to prevent any human rights violations.
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