4 Mar 2022

Prison inmates missing counselling, in cells as Covid spreads

From Checkpoint, 5:18 pm on 4 March 2022

Inmates at Auckland prison are missing mental health appointments and facing extended lock downs due to Covid cases.

There's currently more than 220 active infections in our jails with shortages of prison officers too due to sickness and isolation requirements.

At least 50 cases are at Auckland Prison at Paremoremo. Corrections says there are four wings in the prison being treated as quarantine areas with 123 prisoners segregated for medical reasons under special legal provisions.

Corrections deputy national commissioner Leigh Marsh talks to Lisa Owen.