Surprise inspection finds ‘deeply troubling’ issues at Auckland prison in Paremoremo

By RNZ

A report on New Zealand’s only maximum security prison reveals myriad problems and shows that it is reneging on promises to push for rehabilitation.

Chief ombudsman Peter Boshier inspected the Auckland prison in Paremoremo without warning and found “a number of matters that were deeply concerning”, including that inmates were locked up in cells from 22 to 23 hours a day, to despite the fact that new units were being opened to aid rehabilitation.

In a report released today on his visit, Boshier said he found a number of issues of significant concern, including two violations of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

“We are not achieving what we are supposed to do in terms of our obligations. That is why I am quite clear in my criticism.

“There appears to be a serious and unacceptable lack of ventilation, exacerbated by the impending summer heat, in the low and high security units.

“Pepper-spraying a prisoner, after he followed the orders of the officers, was unjustified and amounted to cruel treatment.

“In addition, the staff did not accurately report the incident that was captured on CCTV. This is concerning as the staff receives training in Control and Restriction.”

In a detailed account of what happened in the pepper spray incident, Boshier told Checkpoint that the footage showed that a prisoner had tampered with a sprinkler, had retreated to the back of his cell and obeyed when asked by officers. to get off.

“Then they pepper sprayed him. The prison officials wrote a report on this and downplayed and downplayed what had happened.”

Boshier said that was unacceptable.

“I would like to see as a routine that when a correctional officer is beginning an interaction with an inmate, the [body] the camera is turned on so the important initial part is captured. Hopefully the use of body cameras in this environment will become routine and not exceptional. “

Spending long periods in segregation meant that inmates had little opportunity to display good behavior, he said.

“I consider such prolonged stays in directed segregation inappropriate and well above the 15 days established in the Nelson Mandela Rules.

“I don’t see how you are going to try to normalize a prisoner in that environment when you are in that artificial and quite oppressive situation for all that time.”

A survey of prisoners revealed that 35 percent said they had been assaulted and 13 percent sexually assaulted in prison.

“Large numbers of inmates sought voluntary segregation primarily due to gang problems, intimidation, separations, and fear for personal safety.”

Boshier told Checkpoint that the report was “disappointing” and that the prison “was not really achieving the objectives for which it was set.”

“There are great challenges ahead, strong leadership is needed.

He said the maximum security units at the Paremoremo site, opened in July 2018, were meant to help rehabilitate inmates but were unable to access rehabilitation and education programs.

He said there were privacy issues, with CCTV in all areas of the Intervention Support Unit, including bathrooms.

Staffing problems were leading to missed opportunities for inmates, he said, including appointments with the Board of Parole, Work and Income and their case managers.

“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.”

More than a third of the staff also had less than two years of experience, meaning that relations with prisoners were “largely transactional.”

“It is only after a period of time that I would suggest, as a correctional officer, that you learn how to manage and how to do it in a holistic way.

“I think Covid-19 and the lockdown can be seen as the beginning of reducing the availability of prison guards and introducing a larger lockdown regime, because that was practical and pragmatic; unfortunately, I think that it just continues. “

On the other hand, Boshier pointed out that there were some good practices in the prison, such as not having double bunks.

The Ombudsman made 37 recommendations, of which the Department of Corrections accepted 33 and partially accepted four.

Corrections told Boshier that it had been implementing its recommendations since the inspection earlier this year, including the appointment of more staff.

Boshier visited the prison on December 1 to check on progress.

“In my opinion, the intent of the Department of Corrections to change its operating model of containing difficult prisoners has yet to be realized. I hope to see significant improvements in conditions for maximum security prisoners.”

– RNZ