Letters that threatened a person, endangered prison security, or encouraged crime were just some of those confiscated by Otago Correctional Facility staff. Information released under the Official Information Act shows staff at the prison withheld 12 outgoing letters, and three incoming letters, in the year ending June 30. The news follows an apology from Department of Corrections staff after convicted Dunedin sex offender Eric Reihana Hepi was able to send his victim letters from prison. During his victim’s tearful victim impact statement, she revealed he was allowed to send her letters from prison despite the serious charges he was facing. Recommendations included setting up dedicated mail-monitoring teams, regular audits, and giving Corrections staff the power to read, copy, and store mail for intelligence gathering.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 29, 2019 14:26 UTC