Prison bosses have looked to the incarceration of Norwegian mass-murderer Anders Breivik when designing a way of managing the man accused of the mosque shootings.

Two of those closely involved in the handling of Breivik's prison sentence have recently visited New Zealand, for a series of meetings with the Department of Corrections.

The New Zealand Herald understands the visit was organised as part of Corrections' efforts to develop a management plan for the man, accused of killing 51 people in the March 15 attack.

Corrections is required to follow New Zealand's laws and international obligations relating to the treatment of prisoners.

Barrister and AUT Professor Kris Gledhill says Corrections has to balance complying with those standards and protecting other prisoners and staff.

Gledhill says segregation from other prisoners poses issues , because too much isolation is a "breach of the right to be treated with dignity".

But he says Corrections also has a duty to protect prisoners from violence.

The accused gunman remains in Auckland Prison at Paremoremo on remand, where it's understood he's being kept in isolation under the management of a specific Corrections team.