12 Aug 2021

Prisoner told to wait 12 years for psych help, lawyer says

From Morning Report, 7:42 am on 12 August 2021

A senior lawyer has been told that a prisoner she represents may have to wait 12 years to receive any form of psychological treatment.

She says the Department of Corrections knows it is keeping prisoners inside for longer, simply because it lacks the resources for treatment and rehab programmes.

Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis denies there is a problem, saying it is better for prisoners to receive treatment just before release.

Corrections Reporter Charlotte Cook has the story.