Inmate death at Waikeria Prison, cause to be investigated

Monday, 14 December 2020

A prisoner died in Waikeria prison on Monday although it’s not being treated as suspicious.

Waikeria Prison Director Jim Watson confirmed that a person died and that police attended and will notify next of kin.

“Prisoners and staff affected by the man’s death will be provided with support.”

All deaths in custody are referred to the Coroner for investigation and determination of the cause of death.

**READ MORE:

* Death at Manawatū Prison; not thought to be suspicious

* Suspected suicide at Spring Hill Prison

* Prisoner's sudden death at Auckland's Mt Eden prison referred to Coroner

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All deaths in custody are also investigated by the independent Corrections Inspectorate.

As the death remains subject to investigation, and the Coroner is yet to determine the cause, the Department of Corrections is limited in the amount of detail that they are able to provide.