Key Takeaways:
- Jonathan Trubuhovich, a 69-year-old inmate, died 10 days after allegedly being assaulted by his cellmate at Mt Eden prison.
- The incident is the third homicide investigation involving inmates in double-bunk cells at the prison since September last year.
- Trubuhovich’s family wants Corrections to be held accountable for any failures that led to his death and is seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding his injury and death.
- The incident highlights concerns about overcrowding, staffing shortages, and inadequate mental health care in New Zealand’s correctional facilities.
- A homicide investigation and a full review by Corrections are underway, and the independent Corrections Inspectorate will also conduct an investigation.
Introduction to the Incident
Jonathan Trubuhovich was found injured at Mt Eden prison on 29 November and was taken to hospital, where he died 10 days later. The incident is being investigated as a homicide, and the family of the deceased is seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding his death. Trubuhovich’s family is in shock and wants Corrections to be held accountable for any failures that led to his death. They are concerned that this is the third homicide investigation involving inmates in double-bunk cells at the prison since September last year, and they do not want another family to go through the same experience.
Trubuhovich’s Background
Trubuhovich had a long history of convictions, mainly for shoplifting, burglary, and other theft, as well as convictions for assault. He was remanded in custody to Mt Eden prison on 7 May and was due to be sentenced in the Auckland District Court on 15 December on charges of burglary by night, shoplifting, and disorderly behavior. A report prepared for his sentencing noted that Trubuhovich’s life had been shaped by lifelong addiction, persistent offending, and entrenched antisocial behavior. He had spent much of the past six years in prison, with only brief periods out, and had used substances consistently since he was at least 14.
Family’s Concerns
The family of Trubuhovich is concerned about the circumstances surrounding his death and wants answers about when he was injured and how the incident occurred. They had been trying to get him help for his addiction and behavioral issues and had set up accommodation and support for him in anticipation of his release. The family spokesperson noted that Trubuhovich’s criminal history did not reflect the person they knew, and that he was a loving and gentle person who was well-loved by his family. They are seeking answers from Corrections about the incident and want to know what happened to their loved one.
Corrections’ Response
The general manager of Mt Eden Corrections Facility, Dion Paki, stated that staff found Trubuhovich injured at 10:40 am on 29 November and that he was assessed by on-site medical staff and taken to hospital. The alleged perpetrator was immediately secured and placed on directed segregation. The acting general manager, Edith Pattinson, acknowledged that the incident had been a difficult and distressing time for Trubuhovich’s loved ones and that Corrections was committed to acting on any areas where they needed to strengthen their processes. Corrections is conducting a full review into the incident, and the independent Corrections Inspectorate will also conduct an investigation.
Concerns about Overcrowding and Mental Health Care
Trubuhovich’s lawyer, James McGilvary, stated that his client’s death was entirely preventable and that overcrowding in correctional facilities, driven by government policies mandating stricter enforcement against criminal activity, had resulted in historically high incarceration rates. He noted that this situation was compounded by insufficient oversight attributed to staffing shortages, and that inmates were spending extended periods in confined spaces, increasing the likelihood of incidents. McGilvary also stated that Mt Eden Correctional Facility was currently the largest provider of mental health care in New Zealand and that unless additional government resources were allocated to address mental health issues, particularly within the incarcerated population, it was likely that similar incidents would continue to occur.
Investigations and Reviews
A homicide investigation is underway, and Corrections is conducting a full review into the incident. The independent Corrections Inspectorate will also conduct an investigation. The review will look into what risk assessments were done, including the Shared Accommodation Cell Risk Assessment (SACRA) tool, which is used to review the compatibility of individuals before they are placed in a shared cell. The SACRA tool identifies key risk factors to consider before placing a person in a shared cell, and if a person is deemed not suitable to double bunk, a Not to Double Bunk (NTDB) alert is activated on their profile. Corrections custodial services commissioner Leigh Marsh earlier confirmed that he had requested a review of the SACRA process, which is underway.