Dominico Zapata/Stuff
Major structural damage to Waikeria Prison after a fire was lit by prisoners. Some of who remain on the roof of the prison. Independent inspectors issued a report in 2017 identifying damp, dark cells with little air where prisoners could be locked away for up to 26 hours at a time. The report detailed that gangs had a significant influence in the high security facility and violence was a regular part of prison life. Our organisation told Kelvin Davis in 2018 that this would occur and it did, Rakete said. Rakete says her group has 800 supporters across New Zealand and a committee of 16 members committed to abolishing the prison system.