Capill note lists gripes over jail

Graham Capill, the former Christian Heritage Party leader jailed mid-year for raping young girls, doesn't like the treatment he's getting inside.

A Capill letter leaked to Christchurch's Press newspaper lists a string of complaints about what's happening to him in Rolleston Prison's Rata unit.

Capill claims guards are picking on him and are not allowing him enough computer time to study for Massey University papers.

He also says they are not supplying him asthma medication.

The Corrections Department is investigating to see if staff are involved in the letter's release.

Capill's lawyer, Jonathan Eaton, said if the letter was real its release was a gross "breach of privacy".

A source told the Press Capill was "getting off easy" in the Rata unit.

Capill was sentenced in July to nine years in prison for rape, sexual violation and indecent assaults on girls between 5 and 11.

Capill's note about what was going on in Rolleston was mailed to the newspaper this week with a note attached reading: "My man wants youse fellers to see this letter from this Capill feller."

Hand-written and dated September 6, it's headed with Capill's name.

"I feel as if there are corrections officers amongst the team who are deliberately trying to trip me up and provoke me into misconduct," Capill says.

When he ran out of asthma medication, he asked four guards over a weekend for a new inhaler. None obliged.

"Have had insufficient time on computers to keep up with assignments for my Massey studies ... I have had a couple of occasions where I have needed photocopying done, related to study, that has proved difficult, with officers saying they aren't allowed to copy material."

Capill says the study should not be seen as a "want" but a "need".

"If I am to be reintegrated into the community I need to work."

- NZPA