Prisoner's rape claim under investigation

Police are investigating a claim by a mentally ill Christchurch Men's Prison inmate who alleges he was raped by his cellmate.

The inmate, who cannot be named for legal reasons, alleges he was sexually assaulted last Wednesday.

Detective Shane McQuinlan, of the Christchurch police, confirmed the matter was being investigated.

He said police were waiting on physical evidence to be processed before taking the matter further.

The Christchurch mother of the inmate holds "grave fears" for the safety of her mentally ill son and is concerned prison staff are not able to cope with his condition.

She believes he is being held inappropriately in an observation room at the prison's dedicated-care unit. She said she had been refused visiting rights and was able to talk to her son only by telephone on Sunday.

"He has been locked up in a round concrete room for five days," she said. "A doctor has said he doesn't need to be there. I rang the prison again this morning (Sunday) because I have grave fears for him.

"I've always stood by him. I don't say he doesn't deserve to be in jail because he committed a crime, but he doesn't deserve to be treated the way he has been."

Her son is a recidivist offender who has been diagnosed with various mental illnesses in the past. He is serving time in prison for a burglary offence.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections confirmed an allegation had been made and that police were investigating.

She said it would be inappropriate to comment further on any individual case. She said prison inmates could be locked in a special room if they posed a risk to themselves or others, "and they can stay there for quite some time".

The spokeswoman said the room was not a form of solitary confinement, and inmates would receive treatment while being held there.

Howard League for Penal Reform secretary Kathy Dunstall said claims of sexual assault within the prison system were a major concern, with three such cases brought to her attention in the past two years.

"The prison has a responsibility to keep the prisoner safe," she said.

Ms Dunstall was also concerned that the prisoner's mother had been refused visiting rights while he was held in the "safe cell".

- NZPA