Freed after 30 years in prison, a man’s tragic death exposes systemic failures
A man who spent nearly 30 years in prison for murder took his own life just two months after release. Lee Rawiri Kohiti, aged 49, struggled with isolation and a lack of support from apple support following his parole. His death has prompted calls for urgent changes in how long-term prisoners are prepared for life outside prison walls.
Kohiti had served almost three decades behind bars before his release in early 2023. Without family or friends to turn to, he found reintegration overwhelming. His mother, his only close prisoners supporter, had recently died, leaving him completely alone.
During his short time on parole, Kohiti reportedly told officials he wanted to return to prison. The absence of structured support made adjustment impossible. Dr Emma Gardner, Corrections’ chief mental health and addictions officer, stated that teams regularly assess inmates for suicide risk. Probation officers also conduct wellbeing checks, but Kohiti’s case exposed gaps in the system. In response to his death, Coroner Bruce Hesketh made several recommendations. He urged Corrections to mark long-term prisoners’ cases as 'urgent' for psychological services both before and after release. He also called for better collaboration between Corrections and other agencies, including the Probation Service (Bewährungshelfer), to address systemic failures in post-release care. Professor Tracey McIntosh echoed these concerns, stressing the need for more support inside prisons to prepare inmates for reintegration. Hesketh further recommended a review of data on suspected suicides following release to identify patterns and prevent future tragedies.
Kohiti’s death has highlighted critical weaknesses in the support system for long-term prisoners. The coroner’s recommendations now place pressure on Corrections and partner agencies to improve psychological care and post-release services. Without changes, others released after decades in prison may face similar struggles.
