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An Auckland prison staff member was seriously injured in an attack by a prisoner on Saturday, says the Department of Corrections.
Auckland Prison.
Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
The assault occurred shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday, when staff noticed that a cell door was damaged.
The guards were inspecting the door when the prisoner, who had escaped from his cell, attacked them from the corridor.
One of the staff members was taken to hospital with serious injuries, while the other was treated by a nurse at the prison.
Additional personnel responded and began negotiating with the man, who complied with instructions and was transferred handcuffed to another cell.
The prisoner was already being held in a highly restricted regime of segregation led by a persistent pattern of assault on staff and non-compliant behavior.
Regional Corrections Commissioner Lynette Cave said additional staff have been added tonight and there will be more patrols.
“The staff who responded to this situation initially, and those who came to the aid of their colleagues, did an exceptional and courageous job. Prison officers come to work every day to keep New Zealanders safe.
“They work in very challenging circumstances with some of the most dangerous, difficult and sickest people in New Zealand. The assault on them last night was unprovoked and without courage,” Cave said.
The assault has prompted two separate reviews, one by the Department of Corrections and the other by Cusman Wakefield, who maintains the prison.
