One Day in Prison

Have you ever wanted to spend a day in jail, just to see what it's like? Invercargill Prison open day offered an opportunity to do just that. General public with no criminal record are allowed through the electrified and razor-wired fences for a guided tour of the minimum to low medium security facility - and allowed out again the same day. For Spectrum, Sage Forest joined the visitors.

Prison staff chat about their sense of community and public service, with just a hint of the dangers they face. Confiscated tattoo guns and an innovative range of hand-made weapons are on display, as is the equipment occasionally needed to restrain unruly prisoners.

Inmates are safely locked away as the tours go through, but their presence is felt. The eyes at the cell doors, laughter from the yard during a game of ball.