Human Rights and Prisons - Rethinking Crime and Punishment
Human Rights and Prisons - Rethinking Crime and Punishment
Human Rights and Prisons - Rethinking Crime and Punishment
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The approach to leisure <strong>and</strong> entertainment opportunities in NZ prisons<br />
appears to be quite ad hoc in nature. Examples of good practice include:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The recent programme at Arohata Women‟s Prison, in which prisoners<br />
from various units prepared <strong>and</strong> held a kapa haka concert in late 2008;<br />
or when the Wellington Community Choir recently undertook a concert<br />
in the prison.<br />
The inclusion of Arts Access Aotearoa to implement arts programmes<br />
within different prisons, including a fabric art course in Auckl<strong>and</strong><br />
Women‟s.<br />
The showcasing of artwork undertaken by those held at Northl<strong>and</strong><br />
prison.<br />
The move to develop a National Prison Arts Strategy is commendable. The<br />
roll-out <strong>and</strong> impact of this strategy should be subject to further attention.<br />
5.6 Exercise<br />
Law <strong>and</strong> policy framework<br />
All prisoners may take at least one hour of physical exercise per day, in the<br />
open air, weather permitting (s70, Corrections Act). The Prison Service<br />
Operations Manual (F.13) establishes that, before participating in any physical<br />
recreation facilities, prisoners must have received a complete health<br />
screening assessment. All prisoners should receive training with regards to<br />
minimising injuries.<br />
Issues<br />
Physical exercise can bring the same benefits as Lippke (2007) identified with<br />
regards to leisure (see above). In relation to New Zeal<strong>and</strong>, prisoner access to<br />
exercise is not always guaranteed. The Ombudsmen‟s Office (2005:22)<br />
detailed that „…there appeared to be a dearth of adequate opportunity for<br />
recreation <strong>and</strong> sport‟. Part of the problem is that many prisons lack adequate<br />
gym <strong>and</strong> sporting equipment however, even when good facilities are available,<br />
prisoners can not readily access them. Access is contingent upon unlock<br />
hours, staff availability <strong>and</strong> prison routines.<br />
5.7 Access to Others<br />
Law <strong>and</strong> policy framework<br />
Prisoners are entitled to receive at least one private visitor each week for a<br />
minimum duration of 30 minutes (s73). Visiting times are set by individual<br />
prisons, <strong>and</strong> can only be removed if a prisoner is placed in segregation or has<br />
been subject to a penalty. Prisoners can make at least one outgoing call, of<br />
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