Ex-Officer Transforms Prison Life Into Memoir
After spending 20 years working behind bars, Rhonda Hāpi-Smith finally broke free from her past to pursue her dreams. For most of her life, she was certain she wouldn’t follow in the footsteps of her father and siblings by becoming a prison officer. However, in her thirties, after drifting through unsatisfying jobs, she felt drawn to a life of purpose, structure, and service.
Though she knew wearing the uniform would change her forever, Rhonda believes dedicating two decades to prison work was the right choice. From her home in Wellington, the 58-year-old reflects on her career:
“I came out battered and worn, but I’d do it all again. There was something about the job that gave me a reason.”
Writing as an Outlet
Rhonda has channeled the wild and often dangerous experiences from her career into her first book, Inside the Wire: True Stories from a New Zealand Prison Officer. Throughout her time in prisons, writing remained a constant outlet.
Life Behind Bars
- She maintained a tough exterior as protection against verbal abuse.
- She was prepared to defend herself physically if necessary.
- Working as a woman in men’s prisons required her to work twice as hard to gain respect.
- She consciously separated her work identity from her personal life.
Legacy and Reflection
Rhonda’s story reveals the complex reality of prison officers’ lives and how they navigate danger and resilience daily.
“There was something about the job that gave me a reason.”
Author’s summary: Rhonda Hāpi-Smith’s 20 years as a New Zealand prison officer shaped her into a resilient woman who found purpose in service and transformed her experiences into a revealing memoir.