A mentally ill patient restrained in solitary confinement for almost six years is one of several disturbing cases the Ombudsmen have uncovered.

Judith Collins' 'Crusher' nickname comes from her boy-racer policy but also feeds into her self-styled image as Govt hardwoman.

Tough decisions about prisons, education, pensions and tax need to be made if NZ is to avoid a looming Government debt crisis, says Treasury.

More than 60 prison guards staged a protest outside Auckland's Mt Eden prison today.

Corrections has threatened that existing prisons will be fast-tracked into private management unless guards agree to prisoners 'double-bunking'.