29 May 2019

Vicki Letele's family demands answers from Corrections

From Morning Report, 7:47 am on 29 May 2019

The brother of inmate and cancer victim Vicki Letele says someone needs to be held accountable over the inadequate care provided to his sister by Corrections.

Ms Letele died in 2017, after being granted compassionate release from Wiri Prison following a terminal cancer diagnosis and a high-profile campaign by her family.

She entered prison in 2016 and within two months was complaining of a burning throat, vomiting and nausea - and later on - black vomit.

A report by the health and disability watchdog has revealed Corrections, a doctor and a nurse failed to appropriately respond to her symptoms.

Dave Letele told RNZ reporter Katie Doyle he wants answers and the family are considering legal action.

[Warning: Some of the details of Vicki Letele's symptoms may be upsetting].