Rachel

Dear Jacinda, 

I believe that you care about all NZ citizens and that our inmates are not outcasts and they have the same right as you and me to survive during the current novel coronavirus pandemic. 

A combination of overcrowding, being short-staffed and other factors in prisons means that the inmates will start dying soon. The suspected coronavirus case in Waikeria prison, which took place 2 weeks ago, has shown that the prisons are not prepared to save the lives of the inmates.

The BFD.

Given your busy schedule, you might not be aware that getting a general blood test done while feeling unwell is impossible and the quality of food they receive is not good enough to support even the healthy immune system. They are not even allowed to buy two pieces of fruit per day, the building is not suitable for living in over winter and inmates do their own laundry, by hand, in cold water. The air-conditioning/ventilating system is not up-to-date, there are no hand-sanitisers and many many other things. Anyway, I am writing to you not for the discussion of different aspects of inmates’ condition in Waikeria, but for the purpose of starting to save our inmates’ lives. Now is the time to act, not talk. 

I believe you will take the immediate necessary steps, as other countries have already done, to save the inmates’ lives. Releasing the inmates, who have been sentenced to under 5 years or are in the process of their trial, will save hundreds of thousands of lives. Free these inmates who have family accepting them into their household. It will save thousands of families from grieving and despising both you and the government. 

Please look at countries, who are treating all of their citizens equally taking care of the lives of all citizens ( USA, Iran, the UK, the Triangle countries…). I want to believe that you won’t wait until the inmates start dying until the action is taken. 

They and their families are in your hands. I want to believe that each of our citizens is important to you so that the blood of the inmates won’t be on you and your children. 

I am begging you on behalf of hundreds and thousands of New Zealand people to start acting immediately, please. 

Yours faithfully,

Rachel

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