Anyone concerned that they were improperly searched was encouraged to call Corrections on 0800 604 304.
But Susan, who said the searches occurred as far back as the 1980s when she was first imprisoned, said her experience calling the helpline left her feeling "revictimised".
She first called the number in August last year and gave the person on the phone all her details, as well as a thorough account of the internal searches she suffered.
"It was not something I was particularly comfortable in doing as it's quite embarrassing talking about something that's very private," she said.
Susan was told an investigation would be carried out and she would be kept up to date as it progressed.
But by Christmas she had heard nothing, so called the helpline again.
"I explained that I had already called before, but was asked to go through all the details again as they could not find any information about me.
"Not only was I upset that they had no records of me calling in August, but that it was taken obviously so lightly that they obviously couldn't be bothered following it up, let alone an investigation."
Having to repeat her story again left her feeling "angry and humiliated".
"People should not be treated this way," she said.
Susan told the person on the phone she was upset and concerned that nothing happened after her first call, and said they were apologetic and assured her an investigation would take place and they would get back to her as soon as possible.
But March rolled around with no word and Susan called the helpline again, where she was again told there was no information on her case.
She had to recount her ordeal a third time.
"I said at the time it was not fair having to be subjected to this and having to talk about things that were very private and sensitive, things that caused me a lot of embarrassment and shame.
"She was sorry that I felt this way. She told me that she would get back to me the very next day. She said, 'I will not make you wait like you have before and I promise to you that you will hear from me tomorrow.'
"I thanked her for her understanding. I never heard back."
Susan said she was "disgusted" with the way she had been treated.
"Is it not enough to have been victimised once by the justice system, but to then be revictimised is shameful."
She felt her case was being treated like "a big joke".
Susan told the Herald she was searched four times while in prison in Wellington and Auckland.
She said she was a survivor of multiple rapes, and that the search gave her a similar feeling of helplessness.
"You may not sit there or lay back and think about the times you were raped, but it's that feeling you have of someone kind of invading your body when you don't want them to. That horrible feeling you have in the pit of your gut. Feeling like someone is just absolutely defiling you in a way."
After being contacted by the Herald, Corrections national commissioner Rachel Leota personally contacted Susan to apologise.
In a statement, she said Corrections "unreservedly" apologised to Susan for the distress caused.
She said the matter had now been passed on to the Corrections Inspectorate for immediate action, and that the delay was not acceptable.
"It appears there has been a breakdown in our process on this occasion and this matter should have been dealt with immediately following Susan's first call," she said.
Last year Corrections apologised and paid compensation to a number of women who were subject to internal searches.
"The inspectorate did not find any evidence of malicious or improper intention on the part of staff or the contracted doctors, but the searches were not permitted by the Corrections Act 2004.
"These searches were intrusive and potentially traumatising for these women, and it's critical that we continue to try to put things right."
