26Prisoner complaints

26 Prisoner complaints (1) This section applies for the making of a complaint by a prisoner. (2) The prisoner may ask the officer in charge of the place in which the prisoner is detained for help in preparing a written complaint to make to the Ombudsman. (3) The officer in charge of the place must ensure: (a) the prisoner is given facilities for preparing and making a written complaint; and

Ombudsman Act 2009 16 (b) on preparation of the complaint by the prisoner, the prisoner is given relevant information about making the complaint and an envelope in which the complaint and any related documents can be enclosed and sealed; and (c) when given to the officer or other person performing functions in relation to the prisoner's detention, the sealed envelope is sent to the Ombudsman without unreasonable delay; and (d) a sealed envelope received by the officer addressed to the prisoner and sent by the Ombudsman is given to the prisoner without unreasonable delay. (4) In addition, the officer in charge or other person performing functions in relation to the prisoner's detention must not open or inspect anything in a sealed envelope addressed: (a) to the Ombudsman and given by the prisoner to the officer or person for sending to the Ombudsman; or (b) to the prisoner and sent by the Ombudsman. (5) For this section, the Ombudsman may make arrangements with public authorities for the identification and delivery of sealed envelopes sent by the Ombudsman to prisoners.