Recaptured fugitive Phillip Smith refuses food

Phillip Smith.

Recaptured fugitive killer Phillip John Smith has gone on a hunger strike after having his hairpiece and other personal items taken from him.

The convicted killer and child molester was arrested in Rio de Janeiro on November 13, a week after fleeing New Zealand while on temporary release from Spring Hill Corrections Facility in South Auckland.

He was deported from Brazil and returned to New Zealand last week, where he will continue serving a life sentence for murder and sexual offending.

His lawyer Tony Ellis said that since returning to prison Smith had been "stripped of his inherent dignity".

He visited Smith yesterday morning in Paremoremo prison and said his client's hairpiece, glasses and clothing had been taken from him.

After Smith absconded his unusual hairstyle was noted, and photographs from when he went through Customs and during his arrest show he appeared to have a very different hair style from his earlier thinning hair.

"He is locked in his cell for 23 hours a day, he's got no toilet, books, writing material, no television, no radio," Mr Ellis said.

Because Smith was assessed as "at risk" he was not allowed to have access to these items.

"I've asked for them to reassess him, " Mr Ellis said.