Inside the Wire: True Stories from a New Zealand prison officer

by Rhonda Hāpi-Smith

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 an 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 the ordinary world behind. Put your game face on and here we go!

Genres: Nonfiction

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2025

Reviews

[Heidi Vogel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly interesting but could have been way better. One of those memoirs that’s basically just an ego trip. Overall, it felt pretty hollow which is surprising considering the heavy subjects.

[Rory · Rating 1 out of 5]

The whole thing felt like the writer was on an ego trip and lacked intellect and self awareness.

[Mags Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted more. I thought this was written like someone talking. Clear and easy to follow, it wasn't written for us but for Rhonda. I think to be a prison office, you do have to be confident and proud of yourself. Otherwise, you just can't do it as you can't trust yourself.

[Sophie Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intresting read, and opened my eyes up to how the prison system works in NZ.

[Danielle Crooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was waiting for it to get better the whole book and it just didn't. The stories lacked depth and it read like an ego trip in a poorly written diary.

[Jeni · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a book club read. It could have been so much more....had the author and editor been pushed to go beyond superficial story telling. A missed story.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very good read from a prison officers story. Her language is very relatable if your a kiwi

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting auto biography about her tough job working in Prisons. Definetly not your 8-5pm typical working life.