Female inmates can glam it up

Clothing is not available to buy in New Zealand’s female prison institutions but lipstick and mascara are.

The Department of Corrections budgets about $ 63 a year per inmate on clothing for women in prison compared to about $ 108 for New Zealand’s male inmates.

At mid- July there were 71 inmates at Arohata Prison in Wellington, 354 at Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility and 83 at Christchurch Women’s Prison.

Department of Corrections deputy national commissioner Maria McDonald said clothing in prison was recycled where possible and replacement costs were budgeted for.

‘‘ The forecast average prisoner clothing is $ 63 male and $ 108 per male.

‘‘ Male prisoners generally require items to be replaced more frequently than female prisoners due to greater wear and tear,’’ she said.

Prisoners

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Arohata cost per of fe-

Prison received a sweatshirt, polarfleece, laundry bag and two T- shirts at the start of their sentences, Ms McDonald said.

They also got two pairs of shorts, two pairs of trackpants, five pairs of knickers, five bras, five singlets and jandals or sandshoes if needed.

Most prison clothing distributed at women’s prisons was produced by inmates as part of an offender employment programme, Ms McDonald said.

Christchurch Women’s Prison manager Tracy Tyro said inmates were also provided with a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, all- in- one shampoo and conditioner and sanitary products when they arrived in prison.

Body wash, hairbrushes, moisturiser, emery boards, mascara and lipstick could be bought through the prison’s canteen service, Ms Tyro said.

Items such as aerosols or sprays, glass containers, nail polish and nail polish remover were banned.