Bishops slam prison conditions
Media Release
| 11 Mar 2010
Print This
TEXT
Top News...
- Latest
- Most commented
The Archbishop of York. Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop and former Governor General Sir Paul Reeves and the Bishop of Taranaki, Philip Richardson, made a three and hour half hour visit last week to New Plymouth Prison, the smallest and oldest in the country.
The visit was part of a week-long encounter with the life and cultures of the region leading up to Saturday's consecration of St Mary's Church as a cathedral for all Taranaki.
They were impressed by the professionalism, courtesy and humanity of the staff they met and the way they related to prisoners, and found the work of the two chaplains, Sister Margaret and The Rev Judy Clark, a source of inspiration.
The bishops understand the importance of New Plymouth retaining a local prison which allows prisoners from the region to maintain links with family, but the lack of resources which forces a 22 hour a day lock down was disturbing.
The bishops expressed special concern about the physical conditions of the older part of the prison and said the cramped cells built 150 years ago are a source of shame and disgrace for us all.
In their view, to house men in such claustrophobic conditions for months at a time, some of them as young as 17, many of them still on remand, is dehumanizing for inmates and staff alike.
The bishops have already made their concerns known to the appropriate authorities.
Editors' Picks
Bishops slam 'shameful' cells
Senior church leaders have spoken out against conditions at New Plymouth prison, labelling the...
'New buoyancy' greets Bishop Kelvin
One of Dunedin's own, Dr Kelvin Wright, is installed as its ninth Anglican Bishop.
Big refit for century-old church
One of Gisborne's hidden treasures is to be restored for the whole community to enjoy.
Bishop challenges 'the good life'
The retiring Bishop of Auckland has laid his pastoral staff on the altar - and challenged Kiwi...
Pasefika farewells 'a prince of the church'
The funeral service for Archbishop Jabez Bryce, Bishop of Polynesia, followed two days of gath...
Just how green can you get?
Respect for the environment is not an optional extra for the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan W...
© Anglican Taonga
ANGLICAN TAONGA is the communications arm of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia / Te Haahi Mihanare ki Niu Tireni, ki Nga Moutere o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa. TAONGA magazine is published three times a year and distributed to all Anglican ministry units and agencies. TAONGA also publishes occasional booklets on church, ministry and sacraments. The General Editor of TAONGA is accountable to the Communications Commission of General Synod / te Hinota Whanui, 200 St Johns Road, Meadowbank, Auckland 1742.
Comments on this story
Log in or create a user account to comment.