Prison toilet cameras criticised
Conditions at Christchurch Women’s Prison have improved, but concerns remain over security cameras in cell toilet areas and the impacts of the rising prison muster.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier released a report yesterday tracking progress on the recommendations made after an unannounced inspection of the prison in 2014.
An inspection carried out last November, under the Crimes of Torture Act, revealed Corrections had fully or partially implemented five of the seven recommendations.
The report describes a clean and tidy prison, with a generally relaxed atmosphere – a stark contrast to the damning report the Ombudsman released on Christchurch Men’s Prison last December.
Bringing management cells up to standard was the only fully achieved recommendation at the women’s prison, with partially achieved measures included making laundry facilities available and installing privacy screens around toilets in the wings.
However, there were still no screens in the toilet areas in atrisk and secure units, giving staff and others the ability to observe prisoners directly or through CCTV cameras, in various states of undress.
‘‘We still have strong concerns about the use of cameras in the cell toilet areas, and the lack of privacy screens in those areas’’, Boshier said.
‘‘I consider this amounts to degrading treatment or punishment for the purpose of the Convention against Torture.’’
Boshier noted Corrections was constrained by regulations preventing the use of screening in cells for prisoners at risk of selfharm, but said this should be reconsidered.
The new report repeated the recommendation cameras should not cover the toilets in at-risk and management cells, and that privacy screens should be installed, among others.
Corrections said in response: ‘‘Whilst we endeavour to ensure the privacy of all prisoners is maintained, there are instances where vulnerable prisoners are observed for their own safety.’’
A National Working Group, established late last year, was considering changes to provide prisoners greater dignity, the department said.
The report noted generally good relationships between prisoners and staff, but said some prisoners had expressed concern at the possibility of being transferred to Arohata Upper Prison, in Upper Hutt, which would make family visits more difficult.
‘‘Due to the increasing number of women in prison, it is inevitable transfers will continue,’’ Corrections said, adding it took steps to ensure prisoners were able to remain in touch with family.
The ballooning prison muster was also the driver of another point of contention. ‘‘Staff and prisoners were highly critical of proposals to double-bunk the SelfCare Units in the prison,’’ the report said.