A Hamilton woman's attempt to help out a prisoner in need of new underpants failed after authorities rejected the garments because of their colour scheme.
Underwear in gang colours such as blue, red and black is banned in the New Zealand prison system.
Helen Green, a former chief executive of World Vision New Zealand, posted two pairs of grey underpants with a teal trim to a prisoner at Waikeria Prison near Te Awamutu. The underwear was returned to her three days later. She was told that was because the items breached prison regulations that the garments be only one colour. A white singlet Mrs Green sent was also rejected.
"[The prisoner] has got no one else so we've actually ended up being next of kin," Mrs Green said. "He wrote and said he needed a pair of underpants. I was struggling to know what to get so I settled on harmless grey with a thin teal stripe."
When the clothing was returned she phoned the prison's administration to ask what colours were permitted but did not receive an answer.
