New Zealand Human Rights Commission Submission to the CAT in relation to NZ’s 6th periodic review Recommended actions: It is recommended that the Government:  take steps to develop a national strategy and agree a set of actions to ensure the provision of mental health care in places of detention, which includes mechanisms to ensure the timely sharing of individuals’ health information across Government agencies.  develop a cross-agency plan, drawing on the approach taken by the Canterbury DHB, to improve capability for the appropriate management of individuals with high and complex needs. 166. The high prevalence of mental health issues amongst people in detention, and their access to care and treatment in detention are longstanding issues. Sixty to seventy percent of people in prison have either a learning disability or mental illness. 167. In 2012 the Ombudsman completed an investigation into prison healthcare,88 identifying deficiencies in the management of mentally unwell prisoners, and finding that aspects of the management of prisoners at risk of self-harm could be detrimental to their long term mental health. In general, it was found that services were insufficiently responsive to the diverse needs of prisoners requiring mental health care. 168. Also in 2012, the IPCA carried out a review of deaths in police custody,89 highlighting the effect of alcohol, drugs and mental health issues on people in Police custody as areas requiring attention. The 20 recommendations made by the IPCA included “to work towards establishing detoxification centres to provide appropriate care for heavily intoxicated people, and expansion of the watch-house nurse programme to help identify and manage detainees with mental health, alcohol or other drug issues.”90 88 http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/system/paperclip/document_files/document_files/456/original/own_mo tion_prisoner_health.pdf?1349735789 89 http://ipca.govt.nz/Site/media/2012/2012-June-30-Deaths-in-Custody.aspx 90 Ibid. 65