Hunger striker Dean Wickliffe hospitalized; parole hearing advanced

Prisoner Dean Wickliffe, who is currently on a hunger strike, has been taken to Waikato Hospital due to his worsening health. Wickliffe is a convicted killer, and his condition prompted the Parole Board to change his hearing date. His hearing has been moved up by eight days to Wednesday at 2:20 PM. Police are investigating an alleged assault on Wickliffe that occurred at Springhill Prison on March 6. His legal team has raised concerns that he may be experiencing kidney failure. However, Corrections officials said they cannot provide details about his health because of privacy laws.