The Corrections Minister is taking aim at his department, over its failure to answer, in court, accusations of "brutal and inhumane" treatment of inmates at Auckland Women's prison.
The claims were aired during an arson trial for one of the women, Mihi Bassett, who'll be sentenced later this morning.
The judge was highly critical of the treatment of some inmates, as well as the failure of Corrections to front anyone to properly answer the raft of serious allegations, which included unreasonable use of pepper spray and confinement cells.
Judge David McNaughton said if the claims were "genuine", Bassett's treatment could be taken into account at her sentencing.
The minister Kelvin Davis says after getting top level legal advice his fears about the way Corrections has conducted itself have been "borne out" and is warning change is on the way.
RNZ political editor, Jane Patterson, reports.
