Minister Kelvin Davis says systemic issues in the Department of Corrections need to be changed along with an apology, counselling and possible compensation to those inmates who have faced inhumane treatment.
Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis. Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
The Department of Corrections will conduct an urgent overhaul and review of women's prisons, ordered by the minister in charge.
It follows revelations by RNZ of the "cruel and inhumane" treatment of Mihi Bassett and Karma Cripps, who were gassed in their cells and made to perform a humiliating ritual to be fed.
Prison guards threatened to pepper spray Bassett after she tried to take her own life.
The corrections minister told Morning Report: "Corrections has got it wrong."
Davis said the department was now working on fixing its mistakes.
"They've received direction from me in a number of areas on things that they need to improve on and I'll be watching."
"People did not intentionally be mean, it was a systemic issue" - Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis
Back in November 2020, when RNZ revealed the conditions Mihi Bassett was subjected to in Auckland Women's Prison, Davis said he had been assured the use of force by Corrections was lawful and justified.
Today, he said Corrections was wrong following an interim report he received last week, and the judge's findings.
"I asked for advice from the Attorney-General and I also asked for Corrections' side of the story, the independent prison inspectorate had been doing and investigation into the situation."
He said there were systemic issues, and problems with recording and reporting incidents.
"I've now directed Corrections to make these changes.
"People did not intentionally be mean, it was a systemic issue."
Davis said an apology, counselling and compensation were important for the women inmates who faced inhumane treatment at prisons.
"If a settlement is important, so be it."
Mihi Bassett. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly / Vinay Ranchhod
At Bassett's sentencing yesterday, Judge David McNaughton said she had "suffered enough" and would not serve extra time for the arson.
Bassett's lawyer Hannah Kim told Morning Report she was pleased with the outcome.
"Judge McNaughton is well known in the Manukau District Court to be sympathetic and empathetic towards the offenders. It was very emotional, I was glad that he took that accommodating approach."
She said Bassett and all the inmates who gave their evidence statement felt heard.
"All three prisoners told me that they were so grateful that somebody heard them finally, not just somebody but a judge in a courtroom, that they were able to share their story ... they felt a huge sense of closure and hope."
Kim did not expect to see changes this quickly but was glad the minister was taking the matter seriously.
"I can tell you for sure [the judgment] has already made [a] difference" - Bassett's lawyer Hannah Kim
Corrections staff to get more training
The Corrections Association, however, is frustrated the government is leaping to make changes for inmates, while officers continue to be assaulted each day.
Davis said there needed to be "additional training for frontline staff on the use of force, segregation management, and the management of difficult situations".
Frontline Corrections staff were let down by their seniors for not stepping in earlier, he said.
Corrections Association president Alan Whitley said the government was leaving officers out in the cold.
He said they had been calling for law changes to reduce the number of assaults on officers.