Accused Christchurch mosque shooter DESERVES access to visitors and phone calls after complaining about being 'unfairly treated behind bars', legal expert reveals
- Brenton Tarrant, 28, has lodged a complaint with the Department of Corrections
- The accused shooter claims he is being denied his basic rights behind bars
- He has been held at Auckland Prison in Paremoremo since he was charged
Accused Christchurch mosque shooter Brenton Tarrant may have fair ground to complain about being denied basic rights behind bars, according to a legal expert.
The 28-year-old Australian has been in custody at Auckland Prison since he was charged with murder for allegedly gunning down 50 Muslims at two mosques on March 15.
Tarrant last week lodged a complaint with the Department of Corrections claiming he has not been allowed visitors, phone calls, or access to television and newspapers.
Accused gunman Brenton Tarrant (centre in court) has filed a complaint with the New Zealand Department of Corrections claiming he is being denied his basic rights behind bars
Australian-born Tarrant, 28, has been jailed at Auckland Prison (pictured) since he was charged with murder, and currently is not permitted access to visitors, phone calls, or newspapers
Auckland Prison (pictured) is a prison facility consisting of medium security and maximum security compounds in Paremoremo, Auckland, New Zealand
According to New Zealand's Corrections Act, inmates are entitled to make outgoing phone calls, send or receive mail, medical treatment, bedding, food and drink, access to visitors, access to information and education, among other things.
The law also states a prisoner can be denied these rights if there is an emergency in the prison, the security of the prison is threatened, or the health or safety of any person is threatened.
It is unknown if Tarrant has fallen under these exceptions - but Massey University law professor Chris Gallavin said he may have fair cause to complain.
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'He has entitlements under legislation and they can be limited, and there is criteria for limiting them, but I would hope the Department of Corrections have secure ground for those limitations.
'If they don't then his claim will and should be upheld,' Gallavin told the New Zealand Herald.
Talking about why Tarrant deserves basic rights, he said of alleged murderers: 'We show them dignity and respect that each in their own may have not shown to their victims - but that's the price we pay for being a principled society.'
The lawyer also predicted Tarrant would fiercely defend himself until the end.
The gunman is accused of opening fire on two Christchurch mosques and killing 50 Muslim worshippers on March 15
Prison sources previously told Stuff that Tarrant is being watched around the clock.
'He's under constant observation and isolation. He doesn't get the usual minimum entitlements. So no phone calls and no visits,' a source said.
Tarrant is currently under the watchful eye of prison guards and CCTV for 24 hours a day as he is kept in his cell segregated from other inmates.
He is allowed access to small yard, made up of concrete walls and floors, connected to his cell for one hour a day, according to sources.
He has been described as 'unlike anyone else we've got'in the jail, but has been 'compliant.'
The suspected gunman was charged with one count of murder on March 16 but is expected to face additional charges when he returns to court on April 5.
He will appear through an audio-visual link, and will represent himself.
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