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The Chief Ombudsman revealed today that he has found some “deeply troubling” deficiencies in Auckland’s Paremoremo Prison after an unannounced eight-day inspection earlier this year.
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Peter Boshier’s inspection of Paremoremo uncovered several major flaws and personnel problems. Source: 1 NEWS
In the report, Peter Boshier says that inspectors visited the prison, which has a capacity for 680 male prisoners, in late January and early February 2020.
The inspection occurred prior to the full onset of the Covid-19 crisis and prior to any decision by the Department of Corrections to close non-essential services prisons.
Boshier said the Auckland prison culture remains one of containment rather than rehabilitation, despite promised changes.
He said the new maximum security units at the Paremoremo site, inaugurated in July 2018, were designed to help the prison rehabilitate inmates and prepare them for their reintegration into the community.
In contrast, the inmates of the new units were locked in their cells most of the time and could not participate in rehabilitation or education programs, he said.
“Maximum security prisoners spent between 22 and 23 hours in their cells,” he said.
Overall, accommodation standards were good, according to the report.
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Corrections say the prisoner was injured in a fight in the yard before dying. Source: 1 NEWS
“All cells were for individual occupancy and were clean, bright and well-maintained in both the low and high security areas of the prison. However, the lack of ventilation in the low and high security cells was a continuous and unrelenting problem. resolve at the time of inspection, “Boshier said.
The report identified a number of other issues of significant concern to him, including two violations of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
“Pepper spraying a prisoner, after he followed the orders of the officers, was unjustified and amounted to cruel treatment,” he said.
“In addition, staff did not accurately report the incident that was captured on CCTV. This is concerning as staff receive training on control and restraint.”
He also said that CCTV monitoring of all areas of the intervention support unit, including bathrooms, presents a significant privacy issue.
At the time of the inspection, the staff shortage was having a significant impact on the daily lives of the prisoners.
The prisoners were missing medical appointments and other reintegration opportunities, including appointments with the Board of Parole, WINZ, and their case managers, as there were not enough custodial staff to escort them.
“Staff vacancies and unplanned leave, particularly in the high and maximum security units, also meant that the safety of prisoners and staff could be compromised,” he says.
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A new maximum security wing has been opened at Auckland Prison in Paremoremo, which will house up to 260 inmates. Source: 1 NEWS
He also noted that more than a third of the staff had less than two years of experience.
“Relationships in maximum security units were largely transactional, leading to an over-reliance on physical security arrangements.”
A survey of inmates revealed that 35 percent of those surveyed said they had been assaulted and 13 percent sexually assaulted in prison. The gangs had a strong presence in the prison.
“Large numbers of inmates sought voluntary segregation primarily due to gang problems, intimidation, separations, and fear for personal safety,” Boshier said.
Also worrying was the long periods of time that the prisoners were in the evaluation unit, some for more than a year. They had nothing to do and had limited interaction with each other, the report noted.
The Ombudsman made 37 recommendations and the Department of Corrections accepted 33 and partially accepted four. The department told Boshier that it has been implementing its recommendations since the inspection earlier this year, including the appointment of more staff.
He visited the prison on December 1 to check on progress.
“In my opinion, the intention of the Department of Corrections to change its operating model of containing difficult prisoners has yet to be realized. I expect to see significant improvements in conditions for maximum security prisoners,” Boshier said.
Department of Corrections Custodial Director Neil Beales said in a statement today that he has to “balance the needs of the people we manage while ensuring the safety of our staff and the public at all times.”
“During Labor weekend, a prisoner significantly damaged his cell door and gained access to a hallway where he assaulted a staff member who later needed surgery, in July a group of prisoners refused to be locked in their cells and it caused minor property damage and attempted arson, and in March four prisoners were charged with the murder of another inmate, ”he said.
Beales acknowledged the areas of failure and said work has been “completed or started in relation to all accepted recommendations from the time of the inspection.”
Beales said he was pleased that the Ombudsman noted that the prison facilities were well maintained and clean, and several good practices were observed in the prison.
