Human Rights and Prisons - Rethinking Crime and Punishment

of detention together with convicted prisoners, and amend the Immigration Act
accordingly‟.
8.5 Prisoners with Disabilities
Law and policy framework
The Corrections Act (s75) details that health care provisions to prisoners must
be reasonably equivalent to health care enjoyed by the general population.
Support services for prisoners with disabilities are provided by Prison Service
staff. The Department of Corrections (2008b) maintain a Disability
Implementation Plan in consultation with the Office of Disability Issues.
During 2007, Corrections also established a Staff Disability Network. This
network provides mutual support to staff that have a disability or an interest in
disability issues. It enables staff to share ideas and experiences, and promote
equality for staff with disabilities.
Staff should have information about prisoners with special physical and/or
intellectual needs. Prison practices and routines, and the cell placement of
prisoners, should be adjusted to meet these needs.
With regard to prisoners with intellectual disabilities, prisoners should:
Have a Sentence Management plan;
Be able to establish, and maintain, family communications;
Be provided with advocate support in all formal meetings and hearings;
Be communicated with in a form that is understandable to them;
Have priority for placement close to their community networks, as far
as practicable;
Have their best interests promoted and be protected from exploitation;
Not be segregated solely on the basis of intellectual disability;
Provided with reintegrative programmes and services that meet their
needs.
With regard to prisoners with physical disabilities, prisoners should:
Be provided with suitable programmes and services to enable them to
participate in prison activities;
Have access to employment and programme opportunities;
Be provided with special clothing and/or footwear to enable them to
participate in activities;
Be held in prisons that are able to cater to their needs;
Have physical rehabilitation therapy that addresses their spiritual and
cultural needs, and involves family/whānau as required.
Have their participation in programme activities as a priority (this can
involve additional visits from support people and agencies to
encourage participation);
Be provided with adequate exercise facilities and suitable equipment;
Be able to access health staff and support personnel, during hours of
lock-up.
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