Page 16 - Corrections Facility News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Warning: This story discusses violence, rape, depression and suicide. Auckland Women's Prison treated inmates in a "degrading," "cruel" and "inhumane" manner in a "concerted effort to break their spirit," according to a stinging ruling from a district court judge. Mihi Bassett was gassed in her cell, Manukau District Court Judge David McNaughton said. Photo: RNZ/Vinay Ranchhod 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 Co...

Press Release – Office of the Inspectorate The Office of the Inspectorate Te Tari Tirohia has released its inspection report for Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility. “The report highlights a number of challenges this site has faced over recent years with the volume of maximum security, high security and remand women prisoners,” says Chief Inspector Janis Adair. “Other challenges include needing to improve the outside exercise yards for the high security units.” Ms Adair said she was pleased that most of the prisoners reported feeling safe from bullying and violence, and ...

An inspection of Auckland Women's prison has revealed inmates don't have easy access to sanitary items, bras, underwear and exercise.

She has sued to stop its use and the full hearing is expected at the High Court in Wellington early next year. She asked for a court order to stop Cell Buster’s use in the meantime but the judge refused, on the basis of the evidence she had at the moment. “The pepper spray causes an intensely painful burning sensation anywhere it touches, including the body, face, and, in particular, the eyes,” she said. Corrections’ own information says even the common type of pepper spray can cause gagging and gasping and could pose a risk to prisoners or Corrections officers with asthma.

RNZ has reported Cell Buster was hosed into cells to gas inmates to make them submit. In court on Monday, Ewen said it appeared the former Corrections Minister Judith Collins​ had the Cell Buster product in mind in 2009 when regulations were introduced that first allowed the use of that type of product. Ewen told Justice Rebecca Ellis​ that the interim declarations sought would stop Cell Buster being used until a full hearing of a Bill of Rights claim in 2021. If the interim declaration was granted, it would not prevent Corrections staff using the cannister-type pepper spray that poli...