Waikeria Prison Riots: Negotiation with Prisoners to Surrender Fails, Despite Kaumātua Plan

The inmate clash on the roof of the Waikeria prison is set to enter its fourth day, despite promises from the 17 inmates who did not deliver and who were considering turning themselves in.

Prisoners who still resist being caught on the roof of the jail remain without food after starting a riot more than 48 hours ago.

A spokesman for the Department of Corrections said this afternoon that overnight the men had agreed with the negotiators to surrender if they could speak to Kaumātua.

“However, an operation involving the support of our advanced control and restriction personnel was planned to allow this to happen safely. [it] it did not resolve the situation, “the spokesperson said.

“We would like to express our appreciation to the Kaumātua for their efforts and their willingness to help with the safe resolution of the incident.”

The prisoners have been on the roof of the high-security section of the Waikato prison since noon Tuesday, when they rioted and lit several fires in the exercise yard.

The corrections say that the prisoners remain within the security perimeter of the “upper jail” facility and that “there is no risk to public safety.”

Initially, 21 prisoners were on the roof of the prison after the riot, but four have since surrendered.

“We continue to engage with the prisoners to encourage them to cease their actions,” a Corrections spokesman said.

“We are concerned that they are putting themselves at significant risk by staying where they are. The damage to the building is significant.”

One third of the prison bed capacity has been destroyed.