Four No Pride In Prisons protesters who occupied the Hamilton office of the Department of Corrections this morning were this afternoon arrested and have been released on bail. Those arrested are facing four charges of trespassing, according to a police spokesperson. NPIP spokesperson Emilie Rakete, who does not appear to have been amongst those arrested, says the group was protesting a transgender woman prisoner being held in isolation at Spring Hill prison. The group describes isolation cells as a form of torture. “We demand the immediate transfer of this woman out of solitary confinement. I am very concerned for her safety and fear for her life if she is not moved as soon as possible," Rakete says. "People who are put in solitary confinement come out scarred." NPIP says Corrections told the prisoner she was put into solitary confinement for her own safety. Those facing charges have been bailed to appear in court on Monday.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 22nd November 2016 - 7:59pm