It has been purchased by at least five women's prison libraries in the UK - and demand is so high that prisoners are putting their names on waiting lists to read it, according to the Daily Mail.
Corrections field manager Jo Green said the novel was not purchased by the department and a copy had been donated to Christchurch Women's Prison.
She said prison library rules stated that collections should not contain books and publications which were pornographic, gang-related or "prejudicial to reducing reoffending" - which included overtly violent, objectionable or occult material.
The rules also banned "any other material prison staff considers may interfere with the effective management, security and good order of the prison".
The only publication to be specifically banned anywhere in New Zealand prisons is the New Zealand Truth newspaper.
A Corrections spokeswoman said the newspaper was banned by the Auckland Prison manager due to "the negative effect that the publication has on the good order of the prison".
Prisoners are still able to access local and world news via all other newspapers, radio stations and free-to-air television.
