Green MP Steve Abel says Wickiffe shouldn't be back in prison. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
A Green MP is calling on the Minister of Corrections to release hunger striker Dean Wickliffe, who he fears may die in prison.
Wickliffe, 77, who served a life sentence for manslaughter, was recalled to prison after being found sleeping in his car, a breach of his parole conditions to reside at his approved address.
He has been on a hunger strike since allegedly being beaten by guards at Spring Hill prison, after refusing to be double bunked.
In a statement to RNZ earlier this week, Corrections said an investigation was under way and one staff member was "not currently at work".
Acting Commissioner of Custodial Services Kym Grierson said the prisoner allegedly refused a request to enter his cell and after throwing an item, sustained injuries while being restrained by staff, and was taken to hospital on Thursday evening.
Green MP Steve Abel spent more than an hour with Wickliffe after requesting an urgent visit.
Abel said Wickliffe had not eaten in 10 days, and was gravely ill and at risk of organ failure but remained determined to continue the hunger strike.
"He told me he's not going to back down, that he either walks out of there a free man or in a body bag."
Images of Dean Wickliffe released by Spring Hill Corrections. Photo: Supplied
Abel said Wickliffe was advocating for better conditions even while gravely ill.
"His history of 41 years in prison has been of advocacy for prison reform and better conditions for prisoners, so even in his own situation, he was still advocating for other prisoners and conditions to be improved."
Abel said Wickliffe shouldn't be back in prison to begin with.
"Just to be clear, he was recalled to prison because he was found sleeping in his car with his cats because he was homeless," Abel said.
"It's a ridiculous indictment on our justice system. He's not a threat to society or to the community, he should be in a house. He can still do his parole hearing when the time comes up."
Acting deputy chief executive of strategy and corporate services Emily Owen said in a statement to RNZ that Corrections was committed to reducing reoffending, improving public safety and addressing the over-representation of Māori in the system.
"However, we acknowledge that more than half of the people in the corrections system are Māori, so improving outcomes for Māori is a distinct focus within our broader strategy, and Hōkai Rangi expresses our commitment to delivering this."
Hōkai Rangi was refreshed late last year to address this and Owen said Corrections had a number of partnership and service agreements with Māori providers.
"While we have made good progress through our original strategy, there is still work to be done."
Owens said the refresh of Hōkai Rangi had provided Corrections with an opportunity to reflect and build on what they had learnt since its launch in 2019.
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