Prisoners' popularity plummets

Graeme Burton. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Even their mums don't want to see them any more, it would seem. Five of New Zealand's most notorious prisoners - murderers Mark Lundy, Graeme Burton, Wiremu Curtis, and Stephen Hudson, and child abuser Lisa Kuka - had just seven visitors between them last year.

Their personal visitor numbers have plummeted over the past three years, according to figures released under the Official Information Act. In 2008, there were 43 applications to visit, of which 19 were approved. Only 11 applications were made in 2010, with just seven approved.