A Wanganui murderer and a man convicted of a brutal home invasion in Ohakune are among 18 prisoners suing the government over alleged human rights abuses.
The prisoners want $2500 for each month they spent in solitary confinement at an Auckland prison, claiming their treatment in solitary confinement fell below that enjoyed by other inmates at maximum security jails.
Michael Anthony Manihera was sentenced to life for stabbing to death 60-year-old Wanganui bottle store manager Ian Comrie in May 1997 and is one of the 18 prisoners seeking compensation for time in the Corrections Department's controversial behaviour management regime.
Another is Alan Mareikura, who was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment in 1999 after pleading guilty to being party to rape and a party to two charges of sexual violation.
He also admitted to aggravated robbery and burglary.
The charges related to the home invasion of an Ohakune family on December 2, 1998.
Both men are in Wanganui prison.
Wellington-based human rights lawyer Tony Ellis is representing the 18 criminals seeking compensation that could total millions of dollars.
Mr Ellis said the behaviour management regime was unlawful, because it breached the prisoners' human rights.
"They spent up to 23 hours in confinement with restrictions to things like toilet paper and basic cleaning of the cells," Mr Ellis claimed.
Mr Ellis said the Corrections Department disguised the "horrific conditions" prisoners went through by the label of behaviour management.
"I've got to count up how many people want to join the lawsuit, we've already got another 16," he said.
Mr Ellis said the number of claimants could even reach 200.
"I'm trying to organise some help from other solicitors to manage the project."
He could understand how many New Zealanders would be horrified to see criminals getting payouts if they didn't know what sort of conditions the prisoners endured.
When asked about the horrific conditions victims went through, Mr Ellis said he didn't represent them through the initial criminal process.
National spokesperson for the Sensible Sentencing Trust, Garth McVicar, said the lawsuit was a huge concern.
"I've been involved with Sensible Sentencing for three years and there's never been an issue like this that has made people so furious," he said.
Mr McVicar said most law-abiding New Zealanders couldn't understand how this could happen in a decent society.
"These guys don't deserve anything, they've committed horrendous acts.
"I've sat down with families of three victims over the past three days and it's probably the most distressing time I've had since I joined this organisation," he said.
The impact on victims and their families was considerable whenever an issue like this arose, he said.
"They've started emerging from the emotional hole they went into after the incidents and now they're back to where they started? for some it's actually worse because it appears to be state sanctioned, law-abiding citizens are being let down."
The Sensible Sentencing Trust is funding legal action to put up an injunction to stop proceedings and wants to get as many families of victims on board as possible.
"We're funding the court action and want as many families to join as possible, we've already been approached by quite a few," he said.
Killer and home invader suing Government
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