The man accused of shooting dead 50 people at two mosques in New Zealand has made a formal complaint about his treatment in prison, according to reports.

Brenton Tarrant, 28, is being held in isolation at the maximum security Auckland Prison in Paremoremo following the terror attacks in Christchurch two weeks ago.

The country’s Department of Corrections confirmed to media in New Zealand that Mr Tarrant has no TV, radio or newspapers and no approved visitors.

It refused to comment on details of Mr Tarrant’s claims but the Stuff news website quoted a source saying the alleged gunman had complained about lack of access to phone calls and visitors.

“He’s under constant observation and isolation,” said the source. “He doesn’t get the usual minimum entitlements. So no phone calls and no visits.”

New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Show all 11 1 /11 New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Zakaria Bhuiyan People gather hoping to find out information about Zakaria Bhuiyan who is still missing after the mosques shootings in Christchurch. David Moir/AFP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Mucad Ibrahim Three-year-old Mucad Ibrahim, the youngest known victim of the mass shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 15 March 2019. Abdi Ibrahim via AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Nadeem Rasheed Nadeem Rasheed, brother of Pakistani Naeem Rashid who died alongside his son Talha Naeem, 21, who were killed in shooting at a Mosque in Christchurch, at their home town in Abbottabad, EPA New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Omar Nabi Omar Nabi speaks to the media about losing his father Haji Daoud Nabi, 71, in the mosque attack REUTERS New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Ash Mohammed Ash Mohammed, right, talks to a police officer about his father and two brothers who are missing near the Masjid Al Noor mosque AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Akhtar Khokhur Akhtar Khokhur, 58, shows a picture of her missing husband Mehaboobbhai Khokhar, 65. AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Wasseim Alsati A note is seen on a window of a door at the family home of Wasseim Alsati in Christchurch on 17 March 2019. AFP/Getty Images New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Haroon Mahmood Relatives offer condolences to nephew (centre) of Haroon Mahmood, a Pakistani citizen who was killed in Christchurch mosque shootings. AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Farid Ahmed Farid Ahmed (pictured) survived the Al Noor mosque shootings but his wife Husne was killed. AFP/Getty Images New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Syed Areeb Ahmed A relative shows a picture of Syed Areeb Ahmed, a Pakistani citizen who was killed the Christchurch mosque shooting. AP New Zealand shootings: Victims of Christchurch mosque terror attacks Naeem Rashid A relative looks at a picture on a mobile phone of Pakistani nationals Naeem Rashid and his son Talha Naeem (right) who died in the Christchurch shootings. AFP/Getty Images

Mr Tarrant has his own yard – which is the same size as his cell – and is allowed to use it for one hour every day, according to the source.

Under the law inmates have a “minimum entitlement” to three meals a day, drink, exercise and sufficient bedding for “warmth, health and reasonable comfort”.

Prisoners are also allowed to receive at least one private visitor for a minimum of 30 minutes each week and at least one outgoing telephone call of up to five minutes each week.

However, the Corrections Act 2004 also states that these entitlements can be withheld “if there is an emergency in the prison or the security of the prison is threatened or if the health or safety of any person is threatened”.

A government spokesperson said: “He is being managed in accordance with the provisions set out in the Corrections Act 2004 and our international obligations for the treatment of prisoners.

“For operational security reasons, no further information will be provided.”

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Last week, the Department of Corrections rejected reports that Mr Tarrant was only being guarded by white prison officers.