Double-bunking in women’s prison alarms Ombudsman
Torture convention inspectors had strong concerns about an Upper Hutt women’s prison, which has led to Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier slamming the Corrections Department’s plans to doublebunk at it.
Boshier said on Thursday he was extremely disappointed that double-bunking was going ahead at Arohata Upper Prison – a satellite site at Rimutaka Men’s Prison in Upper Hutt.
After a spike in female prisoner numbers last year, the overflow from Arohata Women’s Prison, in northern Wellington, was taken to the upper prison on the grounds of Rimutaka.
During an unannounced inspection of the site late last year, Boshier’s Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) inspectors expressed strong concerns about proposals to double-bunk.
The Department of Corrections confirmed in February that double-bunking would go ahead in 44 of the prison’s cells.
‘‘Cell sizes at Arohata Upper Prison don’t meet the international standard for even one person, let alone two,’’ Boshier said.
‘‘The facility simply won’t be suitable for double-bunking without significant improvements and additions, and even then doublebunking should only ever be used as a temporary, emergency measure.’’
Arohata Upper Prison has been used since February 2017 to accommodate prisoners from Arohata, as well as from Auckland and Christchurch Women’s Prisons, to cope with rising musters at those three jails.
Boshier said the facilities and conditions at Arohata Upper Prison put prisoners at a severe disadvantage.
‘‘All the women at Arohata Upper Prison are low security, yet they’re managed as if they’re high security, with much less time out of cell, little or no constructive activity, and no access to the programmes they need to complete for successful parole.’’
Corrections was facing some very difficult choices dealing with ever-increasing prisoner numbers and Boshier acknowledged there was no ‘‘magic bullet’’ solution.
‘‘But as a country, we have to do better. Adding double-bunking to an already cramped and limited environment will have a very negative effect on the women’s physical and mental wellbeing, and their prospects for rehabilitation.’’
Corrections chief custodial officer Neil Beales said it had made significant progress ensuring Boshier’s 25 recommendations were met by carrying out a $10 million upgrade, including an extended unlock regime, more time outside cells and opportunities to participate in education, employment and rehabilitation interventions.
Two new yards, with drinking fountains and prisoner phones, would be added. An administration block would also be upgraded into a programmes hub, while the gym and cell facilities would be upgraded.
Beales said some of the challenges faced at Arohata were triggered by the need to rapidly increase prison capacity in response to a 40 per cent rise in the women’s muster over the past two years.
Consultation with unions and the Ombudsman started in September over double-bunking concerns. Beales said a plan was close to being finalised.
Initially, 88 of the facility’s 112 beds were to be double-bunked, but this was reduced to 44 after consultation.
Meanwhile, a new wing, initially meant to be finished last year, was being constructed at the Arohata Tawa prison for 69 female prisoners, Beales said.