Prison apologises after inmate posts on Facebook
Rimutaka Prison has apologised to a burglar's victim after she found he had been posting on Facebook while in prison.
The prison's director, Chris Burns, called Maude Heath yesterday afternoon to say sorry but the art gallery owner is still waiting for a response to questions and comments she sent to Mr Burns via email.
Corey Thompson updated his Facebook on Christmas Eve. Photo: Facebook
In September, Corey Thompson was sentenced to 12 months' jail in Rimutaka for, among other crimes, stealing more than $15,000 of pounamu from Ms Heath's Artel Gallery in Waikanae.
On Christmas Eve he posted photos and messages to his Facebook account, including comments about his Christmas dinner.
In a statement, Mr Burns said, "Corrections fully understands the distress and anxiety images posted by offenders can cause victims of crime."
"Although for security reasons we cannot provide much detail, we wish to reassure Ms Heath that we are leaving no stone unturned to get the images taken down and ensuring that the prisoner no longer has access to a cellphone ."
"We are disappointed and appalled at the prisoner's behaviour and there will be consequences for his actions."
Ms Heath said yesterday it was appalling Thompson was able to get his hands on a cellphone and access social media while serving his sentence.
"To me, he's not doing the time," she said.
