GUEST BLOG: Arthur Taylor – My cell block at Waikeria

My cell block at Waikeria
– Cells are only 5.5 M2 & mostly double bunked (I’m not).
– 1 cell has a sentenced & a remand prisoner together , which is even against the basic UN Standard Minimum Rules .
– Door is inward opening , solid steel with a small peephole .
– Walls are concrete block , with ancient flaking paint
– No ventilation, apart from the gap below the door
– Ancient broken & worn through lino – could well be from the asbestos era . Impossible to keep hygienic
– Lightswitch outside the door, only controllable by screws.
– Shower block in the courtyard , exposed to the wind – like in a campground .
– No hot drink & piece of fruit for lunch . Only lukewarm tea at Breakfast & Dinner
– Inmate cardphone wiring gets wet & this causes calls to be abruptly disconnected

INHUMANE
That’s what Chief Prison Inspector Janis Adair said about the old Waikeria high security block where I’ve been since Thursday Nothing at Pare Max is near as bad as this .

Note I am a 62 year old Low Security Inmate, so it’s illegal to keep me here, but Corrections is getting desperate as it ramps up its retaliation to my High Court “double bunking” challenge.

“….the physical environment in the high security cells was not conducive to the humane treatment of prisoners, safety, rehabilitation or good order,”

Moved to Westnorth Unit !
Last night , Unit Manager Dewet Conje arrived with PCO Pete Coleman and said they needed my cell as a medical for a disabled inmate . Against my protest they sent me to the old Westnorth Unit , which is rated High Security . My new cell is only 5.5 M2 and I don’t know how I’ll fit in my legal papers when they (eventually) send them on . Westnorth is the unit they showed PM Ardern a few months ago to illustrate how bad the prison was. Our shower block is out in the yard . Paint and linoleum is peeling . Bordering on Third World

Arthur Taylor is TDBs Prisoner Rights blogger currently inside Prison.