A group campaigning for major penal reform is shocked at the contents of reports into torture in our prisons.

The Ombudsman's Office has ordered the release of Crimes of Torture Act inspectors' annual findings, for the first time, after Corrections refused. The inspectors made unannounced visits to Arohata, Manawatu, Invercargill and Otago prisons.

They say prisoners have been subjected to degrading treatment, including being filmed while strip searched, being bullied and victimised by other prisoners, and sleeping in "deplorable" accommodation.

Just Speak Director Dr Katie Bruce said even for someone who knows a fair bit about our prison system, it makes sobering reading.

"They are places, that in this report clearly shows, are unsafe, inhumane places where acts of torture are being carried out."

The findings have revealed a prisoner was kept in waist restraint with his hands cuffed behind his back, for around 21 hours a day, for 10 weeks.

Because the man was self-harming, staff at Otago Corrections Facility only un-cuffed him every two hours during the day and every four hours at night to stretch his muscles, shower or eat.

Dr Bruce was disgusted by the story.

"This is not a response to self-harm - this is torture, and as acknowledged in the report, caused huge mental and physical strain, unsurprisingly. Can you imagine being in that kind of situation?"

She said these types of revelations show the clear need for transparency.

Some female prisoners reported they were filmed while being strip-searched, while some inmates said they felt unsafe and were being bullied and victimised by other prisoners.

Other findings included drinking discoloured tap water, and wearing dirty clothes.

The Corrections Department said it is committed to managing all prisoners in a safe secure, humane and effective manner.

However, it has rejected some of the reports' recommendations citing safety as a number one priority over privacy.