Thu 10 Mar 2016 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
The Prison Director of Whanganui Men’s Prison has responded to sexual assault allegations made by a trans prisoner against his staff at the facility and says that an internal investigation has “found no substance to the allegations”. Image: ONE News A trans woman currently incarcerated at the facility recently made contact with prison activist group No Pride in Prisons, alleging that she was raped by two Corrections Officers shortly after being transferred to Whanganui Men’s Prison. Responding to the allegations, Reti Pearse, Prison Director of Whanganui Men’s Prison says “Corrections takes any allegation of sexual assault extremely seriously. We have zero tolerance for sexual assaults in our prisons. The woman told NPIP that she tried to report the incident to prison staff, who allegedly chose not to act on the complaint however Pearce says, “All complaints are investigated.” “This prisoner has made numerous allegations against staff, and these have been referred to police,” he says. “Corrections has also investigated and found no substance to the allegations. CCTV footage does not back up the prisoner’s allegations.” “Corrections has a duty of care to all prisoners and works to ensure every prisoner is placed in a safe environment. Corrections assesses each prisoner individually to ensure the most appropriate placements for them.” He says Corrections is undertaking a comprehensive programme of work to help support transgender prisoners, which will cover accessibility to support services, appropriate healthcare, appropriate rehabilitation and safety plans for vulnerable prisoners. Notably, in October last year, Police and Corrections were investigating claims that a prisoner was raped by a cellmate while locked in overnight at Serco-run men's prison, Auckland South Corrections Facility. Pearce says, “We absolutely refute any suggestion that rape is a systemic issue in New Zealand prisons,” says Pearce. “Incidents of any type of sexual assault are extremely rare. “Corrections demands a high standard of conduct and integrity from all employees and staff are expected to role model positive law-abiding behaviour.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 10th March 2016 - 3:23pm