The hierarchical nature and brutal inner workings of a tough New Zealand jail block, including yard fights and sparring, has been examined at a prison murder trial today. Parata told the prison guards he would speak with the younger prisoners about showing respect to older prisoners or 'lags' doing longer stretches inside. He was known to be tough, a prison guard accepted, and demanded that older men get respect from younger inmates. Prison guards would break up the fights and use their discretion on whether inmates would face internal charges. The alleged assault came two days after 44-year-old Parata tipped off prison guards that Tihi had stolen a fellow inmate's prison-issue TV from his cell.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 28, 2016 04:52 UTC