June 15, 2018
Mental unit positive step for prison
A spokesperson for justice reform group Just Speak say’s the redevelopment of Waikeria Prison is a partial win, but it still falls short of human rights standards.
Julia Whaipooti travelled to the United Nations earlier this year to speak out against plans for a 2000-plus bed American-style mega-prison on the site.
The Government will now replace the existing-100 year old prison with a 500-bed high security unit.
Just Speak is disappointed the unit will include double bunking, as this goes against international guidelines.
But the attached 100-bed mental health unit is a recognition the majority of inmates have some mental heath issue which is often not diagnosed until they are locked up.
"Recognising that reality and dealing with prisoners that are in prison at the moment but we need to go far further and we need to be putting mental health facilities in our communities. That's going to be more preventative. If people's mental health issues are identified and supported to manage, that's going to stem the flow of people into our prisons," Ms Whaipooti says.
Just Speak is also disappointed the new prison will be built under a public-private partnership, as responsibility for locking people up should remain with the state.
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