Government plans to include a 100-bed mental health unit at the Waikeria Prison site are discussed by Professor Kris Gledhill, a researcher in the areas of prison law and mental health law, with Radio NZ’s The Panel.
Professor Gledhill says the mental health unit, the first of its kind in New Zealand, is a “good thing”.
“I accept the view that we should deal with mental health needs outside of prison, but the simple fact is that at least 60% of prisoners report mental health or substance abuse problems in the previous year, and 90% over their lifetime. So actually we have a prison population with significant mental health needs that have to be dealt with.”
Listen to the full interview on the Radio NZ website. Radio NZ website
