Coroner criticises Corrections over delayed response to prisoner's emergency call

Thursday 18 December 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated Thu 18 Dec 2025, 5:21am

In this story Department of Corrections

A coroner has ruled that a significant failure by the Department of Corrections contributed to the death of a 67-year-old man at Christchurch Men's Prison. Staff took 18 minutes to respond to an emergency intercom call before the prisoner died. The delay in answering the call and starting CPR was also noted.

How they headlined it

4am5:21am

1. The PressThu 18 Dec 2025, 4:00am

   Christchurch prison took 18 minutes to respond to call for help before man's death (opens in new tab)

2. RNZThu 18 Dec 2025, 5:21am

   'Significant failure on the part of Corrections': Inmate dies after guards slow to answer intercom (opens in new tab)