Key Takeaways
- A coroner is calling for urgent psychological support for prisoners before and after their release, following the death of a man who served almost 30 years of a life sentence for murder.
- The man, Lee Rawiri Kohiti, was released on parole in May 2025 and was found dead two months later, with his death being ruled a suicide.
- Experts are highlighting the need for more support for prisoners to prepare them for re-integrating into society, particularly in the first six months after release.
- The Department of Corrections is being urged to work with other agencies to address systemic issues in providing services to prisoners on release.
- There are several resources available for those struggling with their mental health, including the Need to Talk? service, Lifeline, and the Suicide Crisis Helpline.
Introduction to the Issue
The story of Lee Rawiri Kohiti, a man who served almost 30 years of a life sentence for murder, is a tragic one. Kohiti was released on parole in May 2025, but just two months later, he was found dead at his Hamilton parole address. His death has been ruled a suicide, and it has sparked calls for urgent psychological support for prisoners before and after their release. According to the coroner, Kohiti was not visited by friends or family after his release, and he expressed a desire to return to the prison environment. This highlights the need for more support for prisoners as they transition back into society.
The Need for Support
University of Auckland professor Tracey McIntosh is an expert in this area, and she believes that more needs to be done to support prisoners as they prepare for release. "We’ve a parole board that largely looks at risk, with particular focus, as we can understand, on risk to community, but perhaps far less is done in actually determining the risk for individuals, particularly around their wellbeing," she said. McIntosh wants to see more emphasis on preparing prisoners for re-integration into society, particularly in the first six months after release. She believes that this is a critical period, and that more support is needed to help prisoners adjust to life outside of prison.
Systemic Issues
Coroner Bruce Hesketh’s ruling on Kohiti’s death recommended that the Department of Corrections work with other agencies to address systemic issues in providing services to prisoners on release. Hesketh also suggested that Corrections collaborate with relevant partners to collate and review data on suspected suicide deaths after release, within a relevant time period. This highlights the need for a more coordinated approach to supporting prisoners after release, and for more data to be collected on the outcomes of prisoners after they leave prison. By working together, agencies can help to identify and address the systemic issues that are contributing to the high rates of suicide among prisoners after release.
Response from Corrections
The Department of Corrections has responded to the coroner’s ruling, with chief mental health and addictions officer Dr Emma Gardner saying that there are teams that regularly assess inmates’ risk of suicide. Gardner also said that a lot of work has been done to expand mental health services across the prison network, and that Corrections is now turning its attention to supporting prisoners in the community. However, Gardner acknowledged that there is always room for improvement, and that Corrections is committed to doing everything it can to improve the support it offers to prisoners and their families.
Resources for Those Struggling
For those who are struggling with their mental health, there are several resources available. The Need to Talk? service is a free call or text service that is available 24/7, and it provides access to trained counsellors who can offer support and guidance. Lifeline is another service that provides support for those who are struggling, and it can be contacted on 0800 543 354 or by texting HELP to 4357. The Suicide Crisis Helpline is also available, and it can be contacted on 0508 828 865 or 0508 TAUTOKO. These services are confidential and anonymous, and they can provide a lifeline for those who are struggling with their mental health.
Conclusion
The story of Lee Rawiri Kohiti is a tragic one, and it highlights the need for more support for prisoners as they transition back into society. By providing more support and resources, we can help to reduce the risk of suicide among prisoners after release, and we can help to ensure that they are able to rebuild their lives and become productive members of society. It is a complex issue, but by working together, we can make a difference and help to prevent tragedies like the one that befell Kohiti.