The inspection report for Rimutaka Prison has been released by the Office of the Inspectorate today.
“Prison inspections aim to provide assurance that people in the care of the Department of Corrections are treated
fairly, safely and humanely, and that emerging risks and good practice are identified early,” says Chief Inspector Janis
Adair.
The inspection found many positive features at Rimutaka Prison, such as a more consistent induction process, better
prisoner access to telephone calls with their lawyer, lower contraband levels and improved meals.
Prisoners in low security units reported they felt safe from bullying, violence and standovers. There also continued to
be a broad range of education programmes available to engage prisoners in learning.
The inspection found, however, that violence, gang activity and standovers continued to occur in most of the high
security units. The unlock regime brought in to manage this had resulted in prisoners spending limited time out of their
cells, although some felt safer.
“I visited Rimutaka Prison in July and received an update from the Prison Director,” says Ms Adair. “I was pleased to
follow up some of the changes made at the prison in response to this report’s findings.”
The inspection was unannounced and followed an initial inspection which took place in 2017. It is part of the Office of
the Inspectorate’s new phase of follow-up inspections of all 18 New Zealand prisons.
The inspection utilised the Inspection Standards, developed by the Office of the Inspectorate, which describe the standards of treatment of prisoners and conditions that
prisons are expected to achieve. The Inspection Standards derive from the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (‘the Nelson Mandela Rules’).
The Office of the Inspectorate, while part of the Department of Corrections, is operationally independent to ensure
objectivity and integrity.
Read the Rimutaka Prison follow-up unannounced inspection report on our website.