UPDATED 9.26am The lawyer for a man forgotten in a Masterton court cell for two days, wants to know if funding cuts had anything to do with the oversight.

LISTEN: Rachel Smalley talks with Lawyer Susie Barnes about how something like this could have happened. 

The man describes the experience as akin to torture after being granted bail on Saturday morning, but being left in the cells until Monday.

 

His lawyer Susie Barnes told Rachel Smalley there was no heating, no air conditioning, no food and no way of the man knowing when it was going to end.

"He didn't have an effective way of even marking the passage of time. He certainly describes the experience as horrific. He had thoughts of suicide."

Ms Barnes told Rachel Smalley the individuals who were directly involved feel terrible and it's not about pointing the finger at them.

She wonders if the incident is the result of significant cuts to all aspects of the justice system.

Police have launched an internal investigation.

 

Are you affected by an issue in this article? Here's where to get help:

Lifeline - 0800 543 354
Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Youthline (open 24/7) - 0800 376 633. Text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email [email protected].

0800 WHATSUP (0800 9428 787), Open between 1pm and 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends. Online chat is available from 7pm to 10pm every day at www.whatsup.co.nz.

Healthline - 0800 611 116
For more information about support and services available to you, contact the Mental Health Foundation's free Resource and Information Service on 09 623 4812 during office hours or email [email protected]

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.