Police say they are still unable to comment on the investigation regarding the trans inmate alleging that she was sexually assaulted by prison staff at Whanganui Men's Prison and say inmate safety is a matter for Corrections. A Police spokesperson says “As this matter is still currently under investigation and witnesses are still to be spoken to by Police, we are unable to comment further.” Corrections has failed to respond to questions raised regarding the safety of the trans inmate, directing all questions to the Police, however Police say this in fact is not their area as questions regarding inmate safety at prisons is something management of Corrections should be dealing with. In March, the woman made contact with prison activist group No Pride in Prisons alleging that she was raped by two Corrections Officers shortly after she was transferred to Whanganui Men’s Prison from another facility. She told NPIP that she tried to report the incident to prison staff, who allegedly chose not to act on the complaint. No Pride in Prisons spokesperson Emmy Rākete said that the inmate later revealed that she was raped by a third Corrections Officer in a gymnasium stairwell and the activist group immediately filed a formal complaint with prison management on her behalf. The Prison Director of Whanganui Men’s Prison responded to sexual assault allegations in March saying that an internal investigation “found no substance to the allegations”. He told Gaynz.com Daily News “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.” Going on to say that 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.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 15th April 2016 - 3:19pm