Home found for released prisoner staying in tent

A RECENTLY released prisoner who was living in a tent in the Town Belt in Dunedin earlier this week because he had ‘‘nowhere else to go’’ has found indoor accommodation.

Jason O’Malley was jailed in October for a series of nuisance calls to 111 following a threeday drinking binge.

After being released, the 38yearold said he used a grant from Work and Income to buy a tent, sleeping bag, camping supplies and some food, before bedding down in Woodhaugh Gardens.

Mr O’Malley alleged police officers then picked him up from there and transported him and his gear to a spot in the Town Belt near Maori Rd.

At the time, he said his food had run out and he was feeling unwell after drinking from a nearby stream.

He said he felt unable to attend appointments with his probation officer at Dunedin Central Community Corrections, in Stuart St.

A Prisoners’ Aid and Rehabilitation Society Otago (PARS) spokeswoman said Mr Graham was now ‘‘safely ensconced’’ in warm and dry housing indoors.

‘‘He’s in where he’s meant to be. I think he’ll be fine.’’

She said the the Department of Corrections, PARS and the Dunedin Night Shelter had worked to secure permanent accommodation for him.

Shelter operations director Carol Frost confirmed he was now ‘‘in his own room in a boarding house’’.