Emmy Rākete of No Pride in Prisons says the group hopes Serco’s loss of contract “represents a genuine interest on the state's part in ending violence against incarcerated people." Emmy Rākete at a No Pride in Prisons protest calling for Corrections and Serco to address trans-prisoner rights. However she says: “We doubt that it is.” Rākete says: “While Serco's incompetent management has allowed violence to occur, policies decided at the state level are responsible for far more. “Double-bunking, a policy pushed last time Collins was allowed the Corrections portfolio, caused the rape of a trans woman in Wiri prison. Serco need to go, but nobody can ever be safe in a prison-state.” Prison operator Serco have lost their contract to run Mt Eden prison following recommendations from Corrections Chief Executive Ray Smith. The contract loss comes following allegations of fight clubs and issues with contraband. Serco still hold a 25 year contract for Wiri Prison, the facility where an alleged rape of a trans inmate took place in September. Mt Eden prison recently ranked the lowest in the Department of Corrections performance tables for the year ending June 2015.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 9th December 2015 - 1:43pm