The prison where Phillip Smith is being held was two years ago condemned by the UN as it packed in 30 inmates to a cell, was infested with roaches and was leaking.

The British outsourcing giant that operates Auckland's Mt Eden prison is facing major financial strife, with its boss warning jobs will be slashed.

The man who raised fugitive killer Phillip Smith said he has not heard from him since their last phone conversation two weeks ago.

Prime Minister John Key has apologised to the family of the victims of Phillip Smith, saying his joke was a 'poorly placed attempt at humour'.

Corrections Minister Sam Lotu-Iiga is defending his handling of the escape of a high-risk prisoner as his department was forced to put all prisoner releases on hold.

All temporary releases for prisoners will be suspended in the wake of convicted murderer Phillip John Smith escaping while on release, Corrections says.

PM said he would let Chile's President know "there's someone who could be out there from New Zealand that you may not want to invite round for lunch".

Phillip John Smith's criminal history is long and it is violent. He has terrified and tormented, abused and killed. What made him a such a monster?

The Government is pressing on with changes to allow ex-prisoners to be monitored for the rest of their lives despite advice from officials that the new laws will breach fundamental human....

Prisoners at two New Zealand jails are getting "in-house" tattoo removal sessions - as long as they pay out of their own pockets.

A Facebook page where prison inmates are able to advertise for female penpals has been blasted by victim advocates who say it's creepy and and "like Tinder" for inmates.

An inmate with more than 100 convictions was taken to North Shore Hospital after allegedly hiding drugs and a mobile phone in his rectum.

Miriama Kamo learned before she was 10 years old that prisoners were "just people who have made mistakes".

Labour and the Greens are backing National's plan to get all prisoners working or studying fulltime within three years.

A prison inspector has rebuked jailers for advising inmates to relieve themselves on vehicle floors.

A Hamilton woman's attempt to help out a prisoner in need of new underpants failed after authorities rejected the garments because of their colour scheme.

A surprise midweek visit from New Zealand Rugby League football manager Tony Iro has given the Paremoremo Prison league team a boost.

A 29-year-old inmate is in a stable condition after a stabbing at Spring Hill Prison.

An Aucklander has concealed 232 convictions from potential employers under legislation that lets Kiwis hide their criminal history if they've had a clean record for seven years.

A decision to name New Zealand's biggest new private prison a place to "move out of the mist" is being called "potty" by justice campaigners.

Works by 12 prisoners are on show in Wanganui's Davis Central City Library this month, in an exhibition themed Aotearoa - Our Land, Our People.

A Victorian prisoner mistakenly released from jail was free for six months before he was arrested and returned to custody.

A prison guard who harboured a bailed paedophile at his home, and then charged the offender's ex-wife $18,300 in back rent has quit after an urgent investigation.

Three Otago Correction Facility officers were assaulted by an inmate yesterday morning.