Submission of the Ombudsman - Prisoners' and Victims' (Continuation and Reform) Amendment Bill

The Ombudsmen's main functions that are relevant to this submission are to:

• investigate state sector administration and decision making under the Ombudsmen Act; and
• monitor and inspect places of detention for cruel and inhuman treatment under the Crimes of Torture Act (COTA).

We are concerned that the victims’ claims scheme, which the Bill makes permanent, provides neither a suitable way to compensate victims of crime nor a suitable way to prevent abuse or mistreatment of prisoners in accordance with New Zealand’s international obligations.

We have seen and support the submission made by the Human Rights Commission on this matter.