Corrections signals pepper spray review on eve of prisoner’s court case
Prison authorities are rethinking the controversial use of pepper spray in prisons, on the eve of a female prisoner’s court case against the practice.
Karma Cyntilla Cripps, an inmate of Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility, was challenging the use of an allegedly more potent form of pepper spray, Cell Buster.
The Department of Corrections was put on notice in late 2020 when a judge hearing a preliminary point in the case said there might be “some real concerns” about the regulations that Corrections said authorised its use.
The case was set to go to a full hearing on Thursday, but on Wednesday Corrections issued a statement saying it was reviewing the regulations, and that the court case would not proceed this week.
This last second reflection on the jaw dropping cruelty of Corrections in this cell gassing situation is a real indication that Corrections realise they are in trouble here.
Their claims to date that everything that was done at Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility was best practice behaviour has become increasingly unbelievable as more and more examples of what was going on began to surface!
I’ve said it once, I’ll keep saying it, the NZ State is the biggest abuser of human rights in NZ…
Judge concerned about ‘cruel’ and ‘inhumane’ treatment at Auckland Women’s Prison
Auckland Women’s Prison treated inmates in a “degrading,” “cruel” and “inhumane” manner in a “concerted effort to break their spirit,” according to a stinging ruling from a district court judge.
Corrections broke its own rules and regulations multiple times in its treatment of Mihi Bassett and Karma Cripps, who were gassed in their cells and forced to perform a humiliating ritual to be fed, Manukau District Court Judge David McNaughton says.
His ruling also confirms the women had to remove their underwear in front of male guards in order to get clean pairs and were, at times, denied toiletries and sanitary products.
…Labour can’t pretend to not know this type of culture exists, the last BIM report that warns of extremism inside prisons because of the lack of rehabilitation…
Briefings to ministers: Government releases advice to new ministers
Corrections has alerted Minister Kelvin Davis to a rise in signs of extremism amongst offenders.
The department has provided a briefing as Davis heads into his second term in the role.
It says there’s been an increase in the number of people it manages, who potentially hold extremist views – or display risk factors specific to radicalisation or violent extremism.
It’s established a Prisoners of Extreme Risk Directorate and made violent extremism a priority for Corrections Intelligence.
Corrections says it recognises that extra measures are needed to safely manage those who present an ongoing risk of harm – and the potential to influence others to engage in serious violence.
The department says of the nine thousand people in prison, 91 per cent have been diagnosed with substance abuse or a mental health disorder at some point in their lives.
More than half of inmates – or 4730 – identify as Māori.
Thirty-five per cent are affiliated with a gang, and 36 per cent are on remand.
…so a violent, underfunded punitive and counter productive prison industrial complex is causing more problems.
What we have here is failure to Communicate.
Th fact that this level of force was required to move a prisoner in the first place is the issue, not that Corrections believed they had followed their rules.
Watching Corrections scramble as the almost ritualistic nature of their abuse of these prisoners becomes public is delicious.
Corrections should be ashamed.
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I thought this was all supposed to improve with the removal of private operators and Captain K at the helm?
Looking on the bright side he’s no longer the worst performing minister – Williams and Davidson are streaking in front by the length of the straight while Kelvin hides out in Joe’s Bunker.
Mihi Bassett and Karma Cripps are heroes to me. That women could treat other women in such a cruel and degrading way does not surprise me. I am disgusted , while being full of admiration for Cripps courage.
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