Cell move allows human contact

By SCOTT MACLEOD

Algerian prisoner Ahmed Zaoui beamed with joy yesterday as he shifted into his new cell.

The alleged national-security risk was overjoyed at his accommodation in the Auckland Central Remand Prison after 11 months in solitary confinement at Paremoremo.

His new cell had a stainless steel toilet (no seat), a desk, a stool, a shower, a 14in television in a wall bracket, and two slit windows which, admittedly, were too high to see out of.

Best of all, Mr Zaoui had human contact. Guards had smiled and spoken to him.

He could mingle with other prisoners outside his cell and speak with them in the faltering English he had been practising from a book.

Three Green Party MPs were allowed to see Mr Zaoui for 20 minutes in the afternoon.

They said the cell was basic, but clean and tidy.

The shift came after months of agitation by defence lawyers and human rights activists for Mr Zaoui to be shifted from solitary confinement.

The Department of Corrections reviewed his conditions after a psychological report found he was suffering mentally at Paremoremo.

At the remand prison, he will be allowed more visitors and can leave his cell for long stints to mingle, eat, and visit a library or gymnasium.

Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said she was pleased to see Mr Zaoui "so radiant".

"He doesn't show any resentment," she said.

"He's grateful for the improvement."

And Green co-leader Rod Donald said: "He's not in isolation. He's beaming."