Complaint after prison guard seen watching mum breastfeed in hospital

A Northland couple want accountability from Corrections after a prison guard was seen staring at the mother breastfeeding in her hospital bed. 

Corrections says the staff member was undertaking standard security checks and was unaware the bathroom was shared with another patient’s room. 

Josh Tatu said the incident occurred at Whangārei Hospital’s Ward 3 on June 23, as his partner Jessica, who does not want her last name used, was recovering from surgery. 

Jessica had given birth the week before but needed follow-up surgery. 

After the successful surgery, she was placed in a room where Tatu and their newborn could stay, with an adjoining bathroom connecting to the neighbouring room. 

In the afternoon, a prisoner from Northland Region Corrections Facility, also known as Ngāwhā prison, was put in the neighbouring room, escorted by two Corrections staff. 

Tatu said the hospital nurses told the officers that a new mother was recovering from surgery next door, and they were not to use the adjoining bathroom, instead instructing them to use a separate toilet to ensure her privacy. 

That night Tatu was sleeping, but as he was later told, Jessica was breastfeeding their baby when she turned and saw a Corrections officer standing in the room, “peeking” through the toilet door. 

“She said, ‘Who are you?’ and he said, ‘I’m just using the toilet.’” 

Jessica was so shaken that she barricaded the toilet door so no one else could come in. 

Tatu said he “saw red” when he was told about the incident the next day. 

He went into the prisoner’s room and asked the Corrections staff for the name of the officer working overnight, so he could make a formal complaint. 

He claimed the officers started screaming at him, trying to push him out of the room and calling for hospital security. 

Hospital security helped to calm the situation, escorting the guards to a different area, he said. 

He complained on Corrections’ website, through the hospital’s complaint process, and contacted the Ombudsman but has yet to hear back from Corrections. 

The incident happened at Whangārei Hospital, as the mother recovering from surgery was placed in a room next to an escorted prisoner. Photo / NZME 

He was full of praise for hospital staff, saying nurses and security were empathetic and supportive. 

Jessica was recovering well, but he remained angry that someone came into her room during the night and while she was vulnerable. 

“My partner is putting on a brave face, but it gives me predator vibes. I worry for other mothers.” 

He said the other concerning thing was that Corrections staff appeared to be protecting each other, rather than hearing his complaint. 

Staff did the right thing, Corrections says 

David Bullians, Northland Region Corrections Facility acting general manager, said the incident was a misunderstanding stemming from staff not knowing that the prisoner’s bathroom was shared with another patient. 

He acknowledged the distress caused by the incident and said staff conduct was taken very seriously. 

“Public safety is our top priority and, as is standard procedure during a hospital escort, staff check all possible entry and exit points to a prisoner’s room, including any attached bathrooms. 

The officer from Northland Region Corrections Facility acted on a misunderstanding, but staff later acted professionally, Corrections says. Photo / NZME 

“Prior to undertaking their checks in this instance, staff were unaware the bathroom was shared with another patient’s room. Corrections will be working with the hospital to ensure a misunderstanding like this does not happen again.” 

He said of the incident with Tatu the next day that members of the public were not allowed to enter a prisoner’s hospital room without permission “for the safety and security of everyone”. 

“When a member of the public tried to enter this prisoner’s room, our staff did the right thing by attempting to de-escalate the situation and calling for assistance from hospital security. 

“Prison leadership have spoken to a number of witnesses, including hospital staff, who all reported that staff acted with professionalism. 

“We have no information to suggest they were aggressive or unprofessional.” 

Bullians said an online complaint was received on July 1 and the incident will be reviewed again, in light of the complaint. 

“If any new information comes to light through this process, we will take appropriate action,” he said. 

“We again acknowledge the distress this has caused, and will be reaching out to the complainant once we have further information.” 

Health NZ reviewing the incident 

Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora was also reviewing the matter, Northern region group director of operations Alex Pimm said. 

“Health NZ is aware of concerns raised regarding an incident involving a prisoner escort at Whangārei Hospital. 

“We are currently reviewing the matter and are in contact with the Department of Corrections to better understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.” 

As the matter was under review, it was not appropriate to comment further, he said. 

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.