A group of people who are protesting against the proposed Ngawha prison in Northland are accusing the Corrections Department of trying to ruin them financially, simply for exercising their democratic rights.
The department's confirmed its applied to the Environment Court for half-a-million dollars in costs, for an appeal against the prison going ahead.
The appeal was heard between September last year and January, and the Corrections Department says it cost the taxpayer more than a million dollars.
The Department says even if its successful, it only expects the court to award a fraction of the costs it wants.
But at least one of the protesters says even then they would face financial ruin, costing them their homes and other possessions.
The Corrections Department says it has a responsibility to try and recoup taxpayers money.
