Human Rights and Prisons - Rethinking Crime and Punishment

However, it has been used for periods when other units in the prison have had
to be vacated for repairs and maintenance.
4.4 Clothing and Bedding
Law and policy framework
All sentenced prisoners will be issued with one tracksuit, one pair of shorts,
one T-shirt and footwear that is deemed appropriate for work or
accommodation (PSOM, P.04). Remand prisoners may be permitted to wear
their own clothing, unless that clothing is deemed unfit for use or if the
prisoner requests prison clothing. Clothing that is provided to accused
prisoners must be different from clothing given to other prisoners.
Prisoners, with prison manager approval, may wear their own
clothing/footwear when on transfer or temporary release, at Court or Parole
Board appearances, or on other occasions (for example, while resident in self
care units).
Clothing or footwear provided by the prison must be suitable for prisoner
activities, and adequate for safety, warmth, comfort and health (r68). Prisonissue
clothing is to be laundered at least twice a week (PSOM, P.04.03).
Sufficient bedding for warmth, health, and reasonable comfort must be
provided. On arrival, prisoners will be provided with a mattress, one pillow
(and case), two sheets, a duvet inner and cover, and a towel. A prison can
issue two blankets, instead of a duvet. Blankets, duvets and mattress covers
are to be laundered every four months; bed linen will be laundered each week
or as required (PSOM, P.04.03). All bedding must be laundered before use
by another prisoner (r71). Any additional bedding will be issued only at the
written instructions of Health Services.
Issues
Prison clothing is of a highly variable quality. The Ombudsmen‟s Office
(2005:25) highlighted that some prisoners were provided with shabby and
sometimes seasonally-inappropriate clothing. This was regarded as being
„demoralising‟ and undermining of „self respect‟ for prisoners. In addition, it
might disadvantage the prisoner when they presented themselves to others,
such as Parole Board members.
In March 2006, a prisoner, David Cox, died from pneumonia in Christchurch
Prison. During his short illness, Cox asked for further bedding but this was
denied; he was given paracetamol for a cold. Attempts by his sister, to
provide warm clothes and medication, were refused by prison authorities.
Following his death, Christchurch Coroner Richard McElrea made a number
of recommendations including that:
Prisoners should not be deprived of the means to keep warm;
Basic items, such as clothing and warm bedding, should be made
available to prisoners without delay following admission;
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