The notorious criminal Dean Wickliffe on hunger strike, which has an attack by prison attendants

“I am extremely concerned about this barātua from Maketū, which I have helped over the years to integrate back into the community in the community,” said Sykes.

“He desperately tries to spend his last years in peace for Whānau -Land in Maketū,” said Sykes that Herald.

“He wants to build a house.”

Sykes said Wickliffe was attacked because he did not want to be twice in prison in prison between Meremere and Te Kauwhata.

Kym Grierson, deputy commissioner for Custodial Services, said that the alleged incident on March 6th had been examined.

“A prisoner supposedly refused to get into his cell and took a fight towards the employees after an object,” said Grierson.

“Then intervened the employees and the prisoners suffered injuries while they were held back. He received medical treatment from the prison staff and was taken to the hospital on Thursday evening. He returned to prison the next morning.

“An employee who is involved in the incident does not currently work” Herald.

“Since there are active inquiries that can provide further information on this matter at this point.”

“We recognize that, given the type of work, we have to maintain the highest level of behavior and the integrity of all employees. The vast majority of our 10,000 employees act with professionalism and respect. Every large organization can come across some employees who do not maintain the necessary high standards, and if we find evidence that our employees do not meet these standards, we take appropriate measures. “

Grierson also confirmed that Wickliffe remained on a hunger strike.

“The prisoner drinks liquids, but refuses to eat food, and our health and custody staff works together to support him and encourage him to resume the food,” she said to that Herald.

“His health is monitored by employees, including nurses and the prison doctor, and he is offered a number of well -being and support services, including contact with local baisa. We appreciate this is a difficult and stressful situation for the Whānau of the man and we will continue to ensure that you can maintain close, persistent contact with him. “

Sykes said that the farm on which windliffes lived was recently sold and he was forced to live in his car.

“After losing his accommodation, he had slept in his car with his two cats. He was arrested on March 5 and was taken into custody because he does not live at his approved address. “

A police spokesman said due to data protection issues that they could not discuss windliffs.

“The police are unable to react to inquiries that want to determine whether certain people or organizations come under police investigations or,” said the spokesman.

Sykes said Wickliffe told her when he arrived in Springhill, he was attacked.

“When arriving in the establishment of Spring Hill Corrections, Mr. Wickliffe was beaten hard.

“He received black eyes and a three-inch cut on his forehead. He needed a hospital stay to deal with these injuries, ”said Sykes.

“I tried to contact Dean and couldn't get through. Then I was told that he didn't want to speak to me what I found strange and I sent several e -mails to prison and finally got a call from him and he described what happened on Friday.

“I am horrified by this treatment. Nobody should ever be treated like this in prison, and certainly not a 77-year-old Atticacy who led his life for a peaceful life in Maketū. He didn't bother anyone, in fact he has great support from his community and friends who have teamed up to help him, ”said Sykes.

“He would like to be treated with dignity and he wants a fair hearing if he determined his freedom on April 3 from the Probation Committee.”

“I'm really afraid of his security. This … raises wider questions … about the treatment of older and in need of protection in our correctional facilities, ”said Sykes.

Wickliffe has a long crime story. He is the only person who had escaped Paremoremo Maximum Security prison twice in 1976 and 1991 and was based on probation in 2018 that was the longest -serving occupant in the country.

Joseph Los'e is a award -winning journalist and in 2022 came to NZME as an editor of Rauppapa Māori. Los'e was chief reporter, news leader at the newspaper Sunday News, about crime, justice and sport. He was also the editor of the NZ truth and worked before entering NZME for the Urban Māori organization Whānau Waipareira.