By Kirsty Johnston
PAREMOREMO, New Zealand — A rapist once described as a “psychopath” is suing the Government for $1.7 million after claiming he was kept in a prison cell for days without a toilet or hand basin.
The case parallels a series of civil suits by prisoners against Corrections a decade ago, which saw some of the country’s most difficult offenders receive payouts for inhumane treatment, and prompted several law changes.
Paki Toia, 54, an inmate of Auckland Prison at Paremoremo, says he was held for four days in a room with no toilet, forced to eat with his fingers, denied exercise, sunlight and fresh air and had his radio stolen by guards.
He has likened conditions in the maximum security jail to those experienced by prisoners kept illegally under the “Behavioural Management Regime” of the 1990s.
Witnesses listed for his hearing next month are understood to include two prison guards.
Full story: Rapist claims $1.7m for ‘inhumane’ jail conditions