Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture – Inspection Reports

The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) was ratified by New Zealand in 2007. OPCAT created a subcommittee to oversee “a system of regular visits undertaken by independent international and national bodies to places where people are deprived of their liberty, in order to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”

In New Zealand, the independent mechanism is made up of the Human Rights Commission (Central National Preventive Mechanism) and four National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) tasked with monitoring detention facilities.

In relation to Corrections, the Office of the Ombudsmen is the NPM with responsibility under the Crimes of Torture Act (COTA) for monitoring the general conditions and treatment of detainees in New Zealand prisons and public protection order residences. They have established expectations intended to provide people in custody, their whānau, any person or agency involved with people in custody, Parliament and the public with an insight into some of the areas the Ombudsman considers when monitoring prisons.The Children’s Commissioner is the NPM with similar responsibility in relation to children in Mothers and Babies Units in prisons.

HRC OPCAT reports

Publication Date
HRC OPCAT Reports
Report location

N/A

Human Rights Commission: Annual Reports on OPCAT Inspections in New Zealand

The report is on the HRC website.

November 2021

First Do No Harm: Segregation, Restraint and Pepper Spray use in women’s prisons in New Zealand

The report is on the HRC website.

December 2020

Seclusion and Restraint: Time for a Paradigm Shift A Follow Up Review of Seclusion and Restraint Practices in New Zealand

The report is on the HRC website.

April 2017

Thinking Outside the box: A review of seclusion and restraint practices in New Zealand

The report is on the HRC website.

Ombudsman OPCAT reports

Publication Date
Ombudsman OPCAT Reports
Report location

Aug-11

Report on an unannounced follow-up visit to Department of Corrections' Auckland Men's Prison PDF, 1.3 MB 10 August 2011 under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on Corrections’ website.

Sep-11

Report on an unannounced follow-up inspection of Department of Corrections' Waikeria Prison's West North & West South Units PDF, 1.2 MB Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on Corrections’ website.

Jan-12

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Arohata Prison PDF, 12.2 MB Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on Corrections’ website.

Jan-12

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Department of Corrections' Hawke's Bay Regional Prison's High Medium H unit, the Receiving Office & Separates area PDF, 7.8 MB under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on Corrections’ website.

Feb-12

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Department of Corrections’ Rolleston Prison’s Totara Unit and Rata Unit PDF, 6.0 MB Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on Corrections’ website.

Apr-12

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced follow-up visit to Department of Corrections' Auckland Prison Directed segregation facilities PDF, 2.8 MB Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on Corrections’ website.

Sep-12

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Department of Corrections' Rimutaka Prison (Upper Prison - Units three and four) PDF, 692.2 KB Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on Corrections’ website.

Nov-12

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an announced inspection of Department of Corrections’ Tongariro Prison (Cedar Units One and Two) PDF, 2.3 MB Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on Corrections’ website.

Apr-16

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Rolleston Men's Prison Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Mar-17

Ombudsman OPCAT Findings Report: A question of restraint. Care and management for prisoners considered to be at risk of suicide and self-harm: observations and findings from OPCAT inspectors

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Jul-17

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Hawke's Bay Regional Prison Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Aug-17

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Spring Hill Corrections Facility Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Dec-17

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Christchurch Men's Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Dec-17

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced follow-up inspection of Corrections Service Manawatu Prison Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Dec-17

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced follow-up inspection of Arohata Prison Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Mar-18

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Upper Prison (Arohata) Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Apr-18

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced follow-up inspection of Christchurch Women's Prison Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Aug-18

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Whanganui Prison Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Feb-19

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an announced inspection of Auckland South Corrections Facility under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Apr-19

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced follow up inspection of Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Jun-19

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Otago Corrections Facility Under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Jul-19

Report on an unannounced inspection of Northland Regional Corrections Facility under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Jul-19

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced follow up inspection of Invercargill Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Sept-19

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Tongariro Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Jun-20

OPCAT COVID-19 Report on inspections of nine prisons under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Corrections' response to the report on inspections of nine prisons under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 PDF, 46.4 KB

Aug-20

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Waikeria Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Dec-20

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Matawhāiti Residence under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Dec-20

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Auckland Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Jun-21

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an announced follow up inspection of Whanganui Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Corrections’ full response to Manawatu Prison report PDF, 1.1 MB.

Jun-21

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced follow up inspection of Christchurch Men’s Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Corrections’ full response to Christchurch Men's Prison report PDF, 3.1 MB.

Aug-22

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Otago Corrections Facility under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Corrections’ full response to Otago Corrections Facility inspection report PDF, 296.2 KB

OCF - OPCAT recommendations table PDF, 318.5 KB

July-23

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Arohata Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

Ombudsman OPCAT report on an unannounced inspection of Christchurch Women's Prison under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989

The report is on the Ombudsman’s website.

Corrections’ full response to Arohata Prison and Christchurch Women's Prison inspection reports