Information, topic by topic, on prisons across the world

July 29, 2019

New Zealand: measles in Mt Eden prison

News

Oceania New Zealand

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.

July 26, 2019

New Zealand: Invercargill prison contravened UN prison treatment rules

News

New Zealand

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.

April 28, 2019

New Zealand: $1 million spent on slushy machines for prison guards

News

Asia Oceania New Zealand

More than $1 million of taxpayer money has been spent on 193 slushy machines in a bid to keep prison guards cool over summer.

April 24, 2019

New Zealand: prison population tips over 10,000 again, but still 1500 below forecast

News

Oceania New Zealand

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…

March 13, 2019

Uruguay: cárceles “pobres” e “inhumanas”

News

South America Torture New Zealand

This article is not available in English. This article is available in the following versions: Spanish

March 1, 2019

New Zealand: prison drugs, contraband vary in South

News

Oceania Drugs New Zealand

The latest figures for prison contraband and drug testing have revealed a mixed picture in the South.

February 13, 2019

New Zealand: how sport in prison could help stop reoffending

News

Oceania New Zealand

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…

January 28, 2019

New Zealand: ICRC hands over prison support programme to ZPCS

News

Oceania New Zealand

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…

January 5, 2019

New Zealand: peace above punishment, how restorative justice works for offenders and victims

News

Oceania New Zealand

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.

November 20, 2018

New Zealand: who's in prison? [video]

News

Oceania New Zealand

The government wants to reduce the number of people in New Zealand prisons. But why?

October 31, 2018

New Zealand: imprisoned minorities

Interview

Oceania New Zealand

The New Zealand prison population has doubled in the last 15 years. Prison Insider published the figures in January 2017, in New Zealand’s country-profile, and cautioned that the record number of 10,000 prisoners was about to be surpassed and as predicted, this number was reached in June 2018. Tani…

June 14, 2018

New Zealand: mega-prisons overseas have been absolute failures

News

Facilities New Zealand

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.

May 3, 2018

New Zealand: alarming report uncovers several faults at Waikeria Prison

News

New Zealand

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…

April 8, 2018

New Zeland: Dutch prison system offers inspiration to New Zealand

News

Justice Facilities 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.

August 29, 2017

New Zealand: fewer women to be jailed under new government strategy to curb growth in crime

News

Women New Zealand

Fewer women will be sent to prison under a new programme to try and curb growth in crime among Kiwi females.

June 16, 2017

New Zealand: corrections officers bashed in riot at Christchurch Men's Prison

News

New Zealand

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.

June 13, 2017

New Zealand: alcohol and drug court pilot gains an extension after early results

News

Drugs New Zealand

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…

June 6, 2017

New Zealand: first look inside $300m Auckland Prison rebuild [video]

News

Facilities New Zealand

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…

May 25, 2017

New Zealand's bulging prison population 'unprecedented'

News

New Zealand

The growth of the prison population is “unprecedented” and “unanticipated”, according to the Budget released on Thursday by Finance Minister Steven Joyce.

May 15, 2017

New-Zealand: teens in youth prison allege abuse cover-up

News

Violence New Zealand

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.

May 15, 2017

New-Zealand: youth residences violent, bleak and prison-like

News

Violence New Zealand

A report into youth residences has uncovered allegations of regular bullying, fight clubs and a “determination” to stay quiet about serious violence and abuse.

April 27, 2017

New Zealand's use of seclusion in prison lambasted

News

New Zealand

New Zealand’s high use of seclusion and restraints in prisons and other facilities has been criticised in an international report on the practices.

April 17, 2017

New Zealand: sensible sentencing trust: prisoner reoffending a Māori problem

News

New Zealand

The Sensible Sentencing Trust says Māori are to blame for the high rate of prisoner reoffending, not Corrections or the justice system.

March 2, 2017

New Zealand: government announces plans to beef up prisons inspection regime

News

New Zealand

Corrections Minister Louise Upston says the changes to the prison inspection regime will give the public greater assurances about the safety of the system.