Access to justice threatened

A legally blind man’s access to justice is being thwarted because he is struggling to get his broken glasses replaced, his lawyer claims.

Richard Hotene is being held in custodial remand on a raft of violence and protection order breach charges, to which he has entered not guilty pleas. During a hearing in the New Plymouth District Court on Thursday, lawyer Julian Hannam said Hotene needed glasses to be able to see properly.

Hannam said Hotene’s last set were broken and he’d hit a brick wall in his efforts to get new ones through either the Department of Corrections or Work and Income.

Hannam told Judge Garry Barkle this presented an ‘‘access to justice’’ issue for his client.

Without the glasses, Hotene was finding it difficult to function in the prison environment or read legal documents, which meant he was not able to give him any instructions regarding his court matters, Hannam said.

In response to written questions, a Corrections spokesperson said it had arranged and paid for an appointment for Hotene to see an optician in Whanganui last week.

Hotene was given trial contact lenses and earlier this week provided with a pair of reading glasses, the statement said. The optician suggested prescription glasses were needed.

The cost of prescription glasses for prisoners is paid for by Corrections, which then recovers the money from the inmate.

Ministry of Social Development regional commissioner Gloria Campbell confirmed Hotene was provided with financial assistance for a pair of glasses in 2016.

‘‘The sum provided was more than the normal amount due to his clinical need. We have not received any further hardship applications from Mr Hotene. But it’s important to note the law precludes individuals receiving financial assistance while in prison.’’ Judge Garry Barkle formally acknowledged Hannam’s concerns on Hotene’s court file. Hotene is due to re-appear in court on October 4 for a bail hearing.