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