The Government has confirmed the terms of reference for an independent inquiry into the escape of convicted killer Phillip Smith.

The victims of convicted murderer and paedophile Phillip Smith have approached a lawyer to represent them. So what are they seeking?

Prime Minister John Key says a government inquiry will be held into events around convicted paedophile and murderer Phillip Smith's escape to Brazil.

Cabinet will consider whether there is a need for a wide-ranging inquiry into convicted murderer and paedophile Phillip Smith’s escape from the country.

Captured killer Phillip John Smith has confirmed he received help in renewing the passport he used to flee the country.

Phillip John Smith will voluntarily return to NZ to escape harsh conditions in the Brazilian jail system, says his lawyer.

Phillip Smith tried to extort $25,000 from a man who later killed himself, court documents reveal.

Corrections officials say the prison population has unexpectedly risen this year, and they believe one of the causes is hardline bail laws introduced by Judith Collins.

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?

Father of escaped murderer and child abuser Phillip John Smith lashes out at authorities for releasing dangerous menace.

Police confident Phillip Smith will be caught if he catches attention of Chilean authorities but South America is “a big place” and there are no guarantees.

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.

Prisoners at Auckland's new $300 million private men's jail could be building or fixing metal skip bins.

Charles Bronson, Britain's most violent prisoner, has reportedly been transferred back to the UK's toughest jail after he covered himself in butter and fought 12 wardens.

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