Figure 3: Ethnic makeup of New Zealand general population, prisons,
segregation units, and longer segregation stays
14%
Longer (>15 Days
segregation stays)
29%
57%
12%
27%
Segregation units
56%
11.60%
New Zealand
prisons
30.70%
51.30%
8.10%
New Zealand
general population
70.20%
16.50%
0
10%
Pacific peoples
20%
30%
40%
European
50%
60%
70%
80%
Mäori
The discrepancy in the rate of segregation placements along racial lines is a very
worrying observation which requires further analysis.
Figure 4: Ethnic groups representation in NZ general public; prisons; and
different types of segregation
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
New Zealand
general public
Pacific peoples
New Zealand
prisons
ISU/At risk
(vulnerable)
European
Management
units (high risk/
dangerous)
Disciplinary
segregation
(‘separates’)
Segregation
lasting >15 days
Mäori
Women were segregated at a far higher rate than men: 255 instances per every
100 women prisoners, compared to 147 men per 100 (based on the number
of prisoners at the end of December 2019). The number was even higher in
the largest women’s prison, where women were segregated 285 times per 100
17