Barry Soper: Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent on the Greens calling for the release of Dean Wickliffe - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Green Party is calling for Dean Wickliffe, a 77-year-old prisoner on a hunger strike, to be released.

Wickliffe was allegedly beaten by prison guards at Spring Hill Corrections Facility - and the Greens want him released on compassionate grounds.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper wonders why a notorious criminal needs to be let out of prison under these circumstances. 

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