Inside the Wire True Stories from a NZ Prison Officer

Gripping true-life stories from a career spent inside New Zealand prisons.

Rhonda Hāpi-Smith has walked among some of New Zealand's most dangerous criminals. As a female prison officer and member of the Riot Squad, she met and worked with thieves, addicts, gangsters, murderers and sex offenders for nearly twenty years in men's prisons around the country.

Operating within the unspoken set of codes, Rhonda built a reputation for herself as fair but firm. She dealt with everything from mass riots and inter-gang hits to attempted escapes, suicides, and segregated 'maxi' detainees.

But alongside the twisted and the downright terrifying, Rhonda shares stories of unlikely friendships, ingenious prison innovations, and moments of hilarity with some of the best people she's ever known. When you walk inside the wire you leave behind the ordinary world. Put your game face on and here we go!