As of 06/01/2025 authorities in New Zealand have enforced a new regulation limiting inmate phone calls to 30 minutes per day nation wide. These calls, often made to family members, including children... are a fundamental corner stone of maintaining familial ties. Fluid access to prosocial loved ones serves as a vital and humane step towards rehabilitation as well as potential reintegration into society.

It was April 2024 that calls from within a New Zealand prison were made free of charge, removing the individuals autonomy or control. Now as a first in the history of Corrections NZ, the introduction of 30min daily limit. To further restrict the already dictated personal rights of an inmate.

Research demonstrates time & time again, that maintaining strong social ties can deter recidivism and better facilitate successful re-entry into mainstream society.

The enforcement of this nationwide regulation is likely to have devestating social and psychological implications to inmates and their loved ones. Again, including children. As such, we call on the corrections officials and the government of New Zealand to reconsider this decision and revise the 30-minute call limit to ensure that inmates can maintain whanau ties.

Please, sign this petition if you believe maintaining the human rights of inmates at a base level. Let's urge the New Zealand department of corrections to make this change possible.

Thank you