Monitoring places of detention
The Ombudsman visits places where people are detained to check their treatment and conditions.
Places that people cannot leave at will, and the Ombudsman inspects, include:
- prisons
- court facilities
- mental health facilities
- intellectual disability facilities
- aged care facilities
- immigration detention centres.
The Ombudsman then makes recommendations to these places where necessary to improve the conditions of detention and detainee treatment.
For more information about this work see:
- Aged care facilities monitoring programme
- Court facilities monitoring programme
Information about this work is available in multiple languages and accessible formats.
Monitoring places of detention pamphlet
COVID-19
The Chief Ombudsman’s designation on 1 April 2020 as an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic required him to reset his planned inspection programme. He issued a set of principles to guide facilities and their staff in managing this crisis, while meeting Aotearoa New Zealand’s international human rights obligations.
During 2020, he conducted a series of short, targeted inspections to provide an independent assessment of how detention facilities responded to COVID-19. These resources provide more information about his inspections during the pandemic.
Media statements
- Chief Ombudsman to begin inspections of COVID-19 managed isolation and quarantine facilities
- Parliament’s independent watchdog to inspect secure aged care facilities
- Chief Ombudsman sets out principles for the treatment of detainees during COVID-19
- Chief Ombudsman continues to monitor treatment of detainees
Information for facilities and agencies
These resources are to guide facilities and responsible agencies during the pandemic.
- OPCAT inspections and visits during COVID-19 pandemic – update and Statement of Principles
- Expectations for OPCAT COVID-19 Inspections - pamphlet
- Expectations for OPCAT COVID-19 inspections
Other resources
- COVID-19: Measures needed to protect people deprived of liberty, UN torture prevention body says – United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
COVID-19 reports
Ombudsman report offers valuable lessons to secure aged care facilities during lockdown
Report on inspections of aged care facilities under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989
Ombudsman says positive steps by prisons to keep out COVID-19 has been at the expense of some prisoners’ rights
Report on COVID-19 inspections of prisons
Mental health services inspected generally got it right over ‘lockdown’
Report on COVID-19 inspections of mental health facilities
Ombudsman releases MIQ thematic report
Report on COVID-19 inspections of MIQ facilities