The Chief Ombudsman says our treatment of New Zealand's most dangerous prisoners does not support rehabilitation. 

The Prisoners of Extreme Risk Unit holds 13 of the countries worst offenders, including the Christchurch mosque shooter. 

Peter Boshier says their treatment is cruel, inhuman, and degrading - breaching the UN Convention against torture. 

He says his conversations with inmates raised concerns about re-integration after release.

Boshier says prisoners felt 'dead', 'full of despair', or 'hopeless' in confinement. 

LISTEN ABOVE