Prison changes must reflect human rights standards

New legislation for prisons needs to take into account minimum human rights standards, the Human Rights Commission told the Law and Order Select Committee today.

Chief Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan recommended that the Corrections Bill include provisions to recognise that all people deprived of their liberty should be treated with humanity and respect in accordance with United Nations standards and the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act.

The Commission suggested the following amendments to the Corrections Bill:

* That there is sufficient reporting, as a check, to ensure strip searches of prisoners suspected of carrying unauthorised items, such as drugs, are exercised reasonably.

* That the Human Rights Commission is entitled to have access to prisons where a possible infringement of human rights has taken place. It is unusual that the Commission does not have a right of access to prisons in this type of circumstance.

* Prisons take into account the specific needs and interests of young male and female offenders.

© Scoop Media