B.01 Prisoner Clothing & Bedding

Policy Standard

• Clothing, footwear and bedding used by prisoners is appropriate to the climatic conditions, working conditions and maintains health and safety requirements.

Performance Standards

1. Clothing issued by the Prison Manager must be suitable for the work or activities likely to be undertaken by the prisoner who is wearing that clothing or footwear and adequate for safety, warmth, comfort and health.
2. Clothing (other than clothing that is issued for a specific activity or work) that is issued to accused prisoners must be distinguishable from clothing that is issued to other prisoners.
3. The Prison Manager must provide clothing or footwear to a prisoner on request by that prisoner, as long as the manager is satisfied that the request is reasonable.
4. All issued items of clothing, footwear, and bedding remain the property of the Department.
5. Each prison has in place a documented procedure that records the loan, issue, and return of clothing, footwear and bedding and also clearly identifies the person the items are issued to.
6. Each prison has in place a procedure for the laundering, drying, storage and maintenance of clothing, footwear and bedding.
7. Items of issued clothing, footwear and bedding are returned when they are no longer required by a prisoner, or prior to his / her release or transfer.
8. Returned condemned items of issued clothing, footwear and bedding are disposed of in accordance with write-off procedures.
9. Each prison has a documented requirement that identifies what are acceptable standards of prisoner clothing.
10. Prisoners are not permitted to wear leather clothing.
11. With the approval of the Prison Manager, prisoners may wear their own clothing and footwear when on transfer, temporary release, at court or for appearances before the New Zealand Parole Board.
12. Prisoners appearing before the New Zealand Parole Board are dressed neatly and tidily.
13. No items of personal clothing or footwear are loaned or transferred from one prisoner to another.
14. Adequate facilities and materials are provided for the laundering of personal items.
15. Mattresses, clothing and footwear issued are durable, and meet health and safety requirements.
16. Blankets, duvet and mattress covers are laundered every 4 months and bed linen laundered each week or as required.
17. Returned clothing, bedding and mattress covers are laundered before re-issue.

Wearing of Prisoner’s Own Clothing Except as provided in (18) and (19) below, prisoners may wear their own clothing and footwear:

18. The Prison Manager may require a prisoner who is not an accused prisoner to wear clothing and footwear provided by the prison.
19. The Prison Manager must require a prisoner (whether an accused prisoner or not) to wear clothing or footwear provided by the prison if the prisoner’s own clothing or footwear is-
    1. Generally insufficient or unfit for use; or
    2. Insufficient or unfit for a specific activity or work in which the prisoner is engaged.

Discretion to Wear Prison Clothing

• Where a prisoner does not choose to wear their own clothing and / or footwear, the Prison Manager must provide clothing or footwear to a prisoner, as long as the manager is satisfied that the request is reasonable.
• All other provisions of B.01 apply in a situation where prison issue clothing has been requested.