An elderly prisoner died one month after an application for compassionate release was denied, a Coroner has found.
Rimutaka Prison Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Frederick Bernard Daniels, 85, was a prisoner at Rimutaka Prison in Upper Hutt when he died in September last year from terminal end stage renal failure.
On 18 August a prison GP recommended that Daniels be considered for compassionate release, Coroner Tim Scott said in his inquiry released today.
The release probably would have been okay, Coroner Scott said, but it was denied because the address Daniels might have been released to was deemed inappropriate.
In his findings, Coroner Scott said it was "unfortunate" that release on compassionate grounds was unavailable.
"I am satisfied that would not have changed the outcome but it may have provided a degree of end stage comfort for Frederick and his family," he said.
He said the level of care available to Daniels was "probably equal to or superior of anything available in the community".
The coroner said Daniels had chronic and severe health needs, and needed regular assistance with hygiene. He was being seen for welfare reasons "very frequently" every day.
Daniels was sentenced to prison 26 May, 2017 and wasn't eligible for parole until 6 January 2019.
Coroner Scott said Daniels was "very frail and mobilised with a walker," but "appeared cheerful and to be accepting of his sentence".
He didn't reveal why Mr Daniels was in prison, saying it was irrelevant to the coronial findings.