PAPA- People Against Prisons Aotearoa
100 signatures reached
To: The Department of Corrections
Get people in prison the basic supplies they are legally entitled to
People Against Prisons Aotearoa demand that Corrections provide the basic supplies it is required to by law to all prisoners. Clause 68(5b) of the Corrections Regulations (2005) requires - that "Clothing or footwear is provided by the prison must be adequate for safety, warmth, comfort, and health."
Put pressure on Corrections to provide, in addition to the blankets and pillow prisoners get upon arrival, that they also be given:
- 7 pairs of socks
- 7 pairs of underwear
- one pair of enclosed shoes suitable for exercise
- one set of thermals
Seven pairs of socks and underwear will mean that prisoners will have a clean pair for every day of the week and won’t have to resort to washing their only pair in the sink.
Many prisoners have reported having only one pair of jandals instead of proper shoes. Enclosed shoes will mean that prisoners are not only able to wear these for exercise, but these shoes will also provide them some much needed warmth and protection.
People in prison need and deserve to have their basic needs met and supplies provided. We demand that they receive the list above, and that these supplies are replaced at request.
How can we keep people incarcerated for not following the law, while the very agency in charge of prisons fails to follow the law itself?
Why is this important?
The Department of Corrections is failing to provide basic necessities like hygienic bedding, underwear, socks, shoes and thermals. This is a breach of human rights and a failure to care for those in state care. We demand that the Department of Corrections does better.
People Against Prisons Aotearoa has been supporting prisoners individually with these needs, but as the situation worsens it has become apparent that work needs to be done to ensure that all prisoners receive appropriate clothing as a necessary part of Corrections custody. In the 2024/2025 year, PAPA provided people in prison with:
- 240 pairs of underwear
- 255 pairs of socks
- 111 pairs of shoes
- 102 thermals.
In general, the requests PAPA have been receiving are because: necessary items are not being provided at all, the number of items provided isn’t sufficient for hygienic purposes or because the quality of these items doesn’t meet people’s basic needs.
Why does Corrections not face legal consequences for failing its responsibilities to keep prisoners clean and warm?
Corrections need to start doing their job. People Against Prisons Aotearoa will no longer be responsible for patching holes left by the Department of Corrections failing to meet its legal obligations, and a Government that fails to address this!
We need you and the people of Aotearoa New Zealand to help us demand the Department of Corrections do their jobs and fulfil their legal responsibility.
*image by Min Iles
We need you and the people of Aotearoa New Zealand to help us demand the Department of Corrections do their jobs and fulfil their legal responsibility.
*image by Min Iles