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Prisoners protesting at the Waikeria prison lit “major fires” overnight as the tense situation continued into its fifth day.
On Saturday, Corrections Ministry Incident Controller Jeanette Burns said inmates have had multiple opportunities to surrender and “we continue to urge them to make this option.”
“We do not want the men, our personnel or other emergency services personnel to be injured. When the prisoners surrender, they will be secured, searched, provided with food and water, evaluated by medical personnel and will have access to kaumatua and other support, ”Burns said Saturday.
Dominico Zapata / Things
Prisoners can be seen on the roof of a unit at Waikeria Prison after riots that began Tuesday.
“We have a duty to care for these men, and they will likely remain in our custody for several years. We remain grateful for the support we have received from local iwi and kaumatua ”.
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* The prisoner surrenders on day 3 of riots, while inmates ask MP for help
Burns said the incident is contained within the secure perimeter of the “upper jail” facility and that there is no risk to the safety of the public.
“We are absolutely committed to ensuring that this incident is resolved safely.
Dominico Zapata / Things
Corrections said there has been extensive structural damage at the Waikeria prison after inmates lit several fires.
“There are multiple risks involved, including the structural integrity of fire-damaged buildings, weapons and equipment available to prisoners, the toxicity of burned building materials, and the violence offered by prisoners.”
Burns declined to comment on the negotiations, but indicated the support of the welfare officers, a psychology team, and kaumatua was available to staff at the scene.
“Correctional officers come to work every day to help people in prison make positive changes in their lives and keep New Zealanders safe. The conditions in which they are currently working and the level of violence involved has impacted them and is also distressing for their family and friends ”.
The protest began Tuesday after 17 inmates seized control of the prison’s main jail, set buildings ablaze and camped on the roof of a unit.
Waikeria inmates protest prison conditions and lack of supplies.
Photos taken from the air by Stuff they showed the prisoners on folding chairs while the helmeted guards carried shields on the ground.
An entire wing, at least 100 meters long, appeared to be destroyed and the roof was a tangle of rubble.
On Friday, Burns warned that the department feared “violent” prisoners were planning to attack staff with improvised weapons after storming an equipment room in search of armor and truncheons.
“Prisoners have continued to cause extensive damage to facilities, including forcibly accessing restricted areas, including a room used to store tactical equipment including power tools, shields, batons and bulletproof vests,” Burns said.
“They have also built a series of makeshift weapons that we believe they plan to use against staff and have accessed a medical dispensary where controlled drugs are stored.”
Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images
Maori Party co-leader Rawiri Waititi, who is also an MP for Waiariki, visited the prison in Ōtorohanga and spoke with the 16 men who have seized the prison in protest. (Photo file)
Burns said the buildings within the facility are significantly damaged and he is concerned about their structural integrity.
He said the interior of most of the facility’s buildings was destroyed and charred.
On Thursday, one of the 17 prisoners involved in the protest surrendered, after the group of prisoners asked the leader of the Maori Party, Rawiri Waititi, to help them with their demands.
The remaining 16 prisoners appeared to be desperate for food and water, after negotiators held them both to starve them to death.
Waititi, who is also a Waiariki deputy, said the men made it clear that this is not a riot.
“It is a protest for their human rights for all prisoners past and present.”
Meanwhile, Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis has said he will not intervene or comment on the situation until it is resolved.
A spokesman for the minister said he was receiving regular updates and that his reason for not commenting was to leave room for professionals on site to deal with a highly volatile situation.
