Justice Anne Hinton was a fearless advocate for womens’ rights in matrimonial property cases during her career as a QC, so I was surprised how hard I had to fight at the Case Management hearing this morning to persuade her my case against Corrections involved Public Interest & I should not have to pay Security For Costs of $4,660 that Victoria Casey QC was claiming for the Crown. It would have cost the Crown well over $4,660 in her fees alone to advance their Security for Costs argument, for goodness sakes !
Also, why are the Privacy Commission and Human Rights Review Tribunal joining me in the case in support if there is not a strong Public Interest. At the substantive hearing, I am asking for Corrections to reveal the names of officers who made Decisions directly affecting me to be revealed, instead of redacted. At stake is the principle of Open Government. A leading academic is writing an article this weekend on why there is is in fact a large Public Interest in my case. Justice Hinton agreed to delay her Decision on Security of Costs until she had read that article.
A tale from the trenches as we head into Labour Weekend.
This is one of the incidents I will be recounting in the High Court in my action against Corrections for mistreatment of inmates.
On New Zealand Day 2018, Officer Pinkerton persuaded his colleagues they could all have an unauthorised staff barbecue and lock all the Miro Unit inmates for the whole day.
After my complaint, Officer Pinkerton was reprimanded; but as usual, there were no apologies, compensation (e.g. extra unlock hours), or punishment for any of the Officers involved. This needs to change.
Arthur Taylor is TDBs prisoner rights blogger currently inside prison.
