OPCAT report: Thematic report on inspections of secure intellectual disability facilities

A report summarising the Chief Ombudsman’s observations and recommendations of a sample of secure intellectual disability residences in New Zealand has been published.

Peter Boshier conducted inspections of 17 secure intellectual disability residences across six services under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989. Inspections began in August 2019 and ended in June 2020, interrupted by the national response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Overall, he found there was significant variation in the treatment and conditions across the residences.

He was concerned to see that in some residences, ‘voluntary’ clients and tāngata were subjected to the same restrictions as those who were detained by law.

To protect the privacy of the residences’ clients and tāngata, the names and locations of the residences, and relevant district health boards, have not been included in this report.

Read the report:

• Thematic report on inspections of secure intellectual disability facilities under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989