The family of an inmate whose death triggered the Mount Eden jail fight club inquiry hopes its long-awaited report will hold someone accountable.
Prisoners filmed themselves fighting in Mt Eden prison. Photo: YouTube
The High Court has cleared the way for the report to be released, ruling against Serco which had blocked it, claiming it was based on unproven and anonymous allegations of violence and drug taking.
Nick Evans died last June shortly after a transfer from Mt Eden with a ruptured lung.
His family say they think he was assaulted in the jail multiple times, and guards did not keep him safe.
Their lawyer, Martin Hislop, said the family would study the inquiry report closely when it was released by the Ministry of Corrections, but there was no timetable for when this would be.
Corrections chief executive Ray Smith said in a statement that "security and privacy issues" needed to be managed before the report was released, as well as consultation with the Ombudsman.
Mr Hislop said the release could end months of delays in setting a date for an inquest, which could also help establish who was to blame for Mr Evan's death.
Serco, which lost the Mt Eden contract after a fight club video was posted online, said it had always accepted the recommendations of the report, but brought judicial review proceedings over concerns about the process.