Ngawha prisoners treated "like animals that belong in a zoo"

A justice reformer is horrified to find prisoners at Northland's Ngawha prison are being treated like zoo animals. The Chief Ombudsman, Peter Boshier, says in a surprise inspection of the prison in February, inspectors uncovered degrading and uncivilised conditions such as unacceptable restrictions on access to toilets and drinking water, a shortage of clothing and bedding, and cell temperatures hotter than 28-degrees. Justice reform advocate, Julia Whaipooti, is a member of the Safe and Effective Justice Advisory Group. She told our reporter Katie Doyle such dreadful conditions do nothing to rehabilitate those inside.