The practice of locking prisoners into their cells at Auckland South Corrections Facility (Kohuora) for extended amounts of time as a way of managing staff shortages or rostering issues has concerned the Chief Ombudsman. 

Peter Boshier has released his first inspection report into the treatment and conditions of prisoners at the facility.

He says his concern is that prisoners do not have sufficient time out of their cells to promote mental wellbeing.

His report finds that the facility is well designed and maintained, operating on a Responsible Prisoner Model - promoting increased self-responsibility as part of a prisoner’s rehabilitation.

“While the operating model is commendable, I found that it had been undermined by the prison’s staffing situation. In the 12 months before the inspection, staff turnover was 21%," he says.