New Zealand’s prison system is breaching basic human rights through the indefinite use of extreme management regimes — including PERD (Persons of Extreme Risk Directorate), TNOC (Transnational Organised Crime), and the PERU (Prisoners of Extreme Risk Unit). These regimes operate in secrecy, with no clear pathway out, and little to no independent oversight.

What’s Happening

Excessive Isolation & Lockdowns
Inmates report being locked down every second day or for 23+ hours daily, sometimes for over 200 consecutive days, often not for safety reasons but due to chronic staff shortages.

The NZ Inspectorate confirmed these practices breach legal entitlements and warned they amount to de facto solitary confinement.
The Chief Ombudsman has repeatedly condemned these conditions, calling them “cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment” under both the NZ Bill of Rights Act and the Mandela Rules.

Mental Health Harm & Self-Harm
Independent reviews, including the 2024 Suicide and Self-Harm thematic report and the 2025 Te Ara Tika progress update, link these regimes to severe psychological harm, self-harm, and suicides.

The Inspectorate warned that isolation and poor access to mental health care significantly increase the risk of suicide and long-term harm.

Inhumane Conditions Leading to Riots
The 2020 Waikeria Prison riot — causing over $50 million in damage — was directly linked to degrading conditions, lack of clean water, mouldy food, and the denial of basic entitlements.

The Inspectorate’s inquiry described Waikeria as “a system in crisis”, while the Ombudsman emphasised that a lack of humane conditions created a “tinderbox environment” that led to the riot.

Legislation to Entrench These Regimes

The New Zealand Government is currently reviewing the Corrections Act with proposals to formalise PERD, TNOC, and PERU regimes in law — despite independent watchdogs and human rights organisations condemning these practices as cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.

If passed, this would lock in human rights breaches for generations to come and make these secretive regimes a permanent part of the system.

Disproportionate Impact on Māori
These harmful regimes disproportionately impact Māori, who make up over 50% of the prison population despite being only 16% of the general population — deepening cycles of harm and systemic injustice.

Legal Precedents

New Zealand courts have already recognised that inhumane prison conditions are unlawful:

Taunoa v Attorney-General [2007] NZSC 70
The Supreme Court found that prolonged, harsh confinement — 22–23 hours a day in poor conditions — breached Section 23(5) (humane treatment) and, for longer confinement, Section 9 (freedom from cruel, degrading, or disproportionately severe treatment) of the Bill of Rights.
Wallace v Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections [2023] NZHC 2248
The High Court ruled that staff shortages cannot justify the removal of prisoners’ rights or entitlements, finding Corrections’ actions discriminatory and unlawful.
Arthur Taylor Segregation Case
Extended segregation — months of 23-hour lockdown without justification — was deemed cruel and inhuman, resulting in Ombudsman findings and legal damages.

These cases make it clear: resource constraints or operational convenience do not override human rights protections.

Independent Reports & Oversight Failures

NZ Inspectorate Reports (2023–2025) show repeated breaches of minimum entitlements, widespread use of isolation, and systemic mental health neglect.
Amnesty International Aotearoa (2024) documented abuse, racial discrimination, and failures in accountability.
Chief Ombudsman’s Kia Whaitake Report (2023) called for an urgent “reset” in leadership and culture, emphasising that prisoners must be treated with dignity.

Our Demands

End Indefinite Isolation & Secret Regimes
PERD, TNOC, and PERU must be reviewed, with time limits and transparent, independent oversight.
Meet Minimum Entitlements
Daily out-of-cell time, access to healthcare, education, and family contact must be consistently provided.
Independent Oversight & Transparency
Full compliance with the Mandela Rules and OPCAT, including regular independent inspections and public reporting.
Mental Health & Rehabilitation Investment
Redirect funds from punitive management to effective rehabilitation, as current programs have reduced reoffending by less than 2.3% in 2024.
Accountability for Leadership Failures
Hold Corrections leadership responsible for repeated rights breaches, with enforceable legal and policy reforms.
Guaranteed Access to Medical Care
Provide timely and adequate healthcare for physical and mental health needs, ensuring prisoners receive care equivalent to what is available in the community.
Effective Complaint & Reporting Systems
Streamline complaint processes to ensure prisoner concerns are logged, tracked, and actioned — eliminating the systemic loss or dismissal of complaints that currently blocks accountability.

Join Us

Every person in New Zealand custody — no matter their charge or sentence — deserves humane treatment and dignity.

• The courts have said it.
• The Ombudsman has said it.
• The Inspectorate has said it.

Now, we need to demand action.

Sign the petition now.