In response to the Chief Ombudsman's report highlighting that the Corrections Department's treatment of prisoners has breached international torture prevention standards under the Convention Against Torture, the Executive Director of Amnesty International New Zealand, Grant Bayldon, said, "We recognise that the responsibility for at-risk prisoners is challenging. But that is never an excuse to resort to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment.

"This report is a wake up call to Government. Investing the time, resources and care to properly ensure that people with mental health issues are treated with dignity and in accordance with international law is not a nice-to-have. It is a must. New Zealand is better than this."

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