Watchdog to tackle jail issues

Continuing criticism of Auckland Prison's treatment of inmates has prompted the Ombudsmen's Office to launch an independent investigation into the Corrections Department.

The recently released and highly critical report on Canterbury Prison's so-called goon squad, which operated between 1999 and 2000, has also contributed to the decision.

The Office of the Ombudsmen typically investigates complaints laid with it and only rarely initiates its own wide-ranging inquiries.

This suggests it has serious questions about the department's processes in the detention and treatment of inmates.

Also indicative of this is the involvement of all three Ombudsmen in the probe, which is a first. Usually only one or two would take part.

The inquiry follows a series of annual reports by the Ombudsmen's Office criticising Corrections.

The office investigates many inmate complaints.

Chief Ombudsman John Belgrave said yesterday that there had been "considerable current public comment" about inmates' rights following the 1998 riot in Auckland Prison (Paremoremo), the establishment and operation of its now-closed Behaviour Management Regime and the goon squad investigation.

As a result, the two prisons would be the focus of the inquiry.

While the Ombudsmen would not reassess individual or historical complaints or allegations already laid with the office, they were also part of the context in which the inquiry decision was made.

Mr Belgrave refused to be drawn on whether the inquiry signified serious concerns about the department.

"No, I have an open mind. I'm not saying that things have or have not been remedied," he said.

However, he added: "The fact that the three of us are doing it means we are taking this seriously."

In the Ombudsmen's latest annual report, Corrections was criticised for lack of urgency in dealing with allegations of assault made by inmates.

"We continue to be concerned about delays by prison management in reporting and investigating allegations of such assaults, particularly in the Auckland region," it says.

Other concerns raised include:

* The questionable quality of several of Corrections' investigations into alleged assaults during Auckland Prison's behaviour regime.

* Corrections' delays in completing reports into deaths of inmates.

* Delays and non-responsiveness to complaints about lost or damaged inmate property.

* Long waiting lists for dental and sometimes medical care.

The goon squad inquiry results are likely to have helped to cement the Ombudsmen's decision.

In that report, Queen's Counsel Ailsa Duffy raised serious criticisms about management failures at Corrections' head office.

Lawyer Tony Ellis is representing about 200 former inmates of the behaviour regime, some of whom have already been awarded compensation by the courts.

He said the decision to hold the inquiry was a significant step for human rights, although he regretted that the Ombudsmen would not have the powers of a Government-backed commission of inquiry.

Of the many inmate complaints he received, most related to the Auckland and Canterbury prisons.

Corrections chief executive Mark Byers has announced his retirement, scheduled for next year.

Acting chief Katrina Casey welcomed the investigation.

Meanwhile, NZPA reports that inmates are queuing up behind a convicted killer to sue Corrections over treatment by the goon squad.

Ra Albert O'Dowd has a civil claim against the department for $150,000 exemplary damages, claiming he was battered by the squad in Paparua Prison in December 1999.

O'Dowd's lawyer, John McDowell, has had inquiries from at least another four inmates seeking compensation for alleged mistreatment by the unit.