[ad_1]
Supplied
The maximum security wing of Auckland Prison in Paremoremo. (File photo)
A prison officer has undergone surgery on a badly broken arm after being allegedly attacked by an inmate in a maximum security compound at Auckland Prison.
The woman was seriously injured during what Regional Corrections Commissioner Lynette Cave described as an “unprovoked and courageless” assault on two prison staff at Paremoremo, north of Auckland, around 8 pm Saturday.
Police are investigating the incident, but have yet to press charges Monday afternoon.
Paul Dennehy, a spokesman for the New Zealand Corrections Association (Canz), said the attack was cruel and the woman’s injuries were significant. His arm was broken in two places.
READ MORE:
* Prison staff injured in ‘unprovoked and ruthless’ attack by inmate at Auckland prison
* The ‘cowardly and unprovoked attack’ of the Christchurch prisoner on the prison officer
* Prisoners in riots leave Christchurch men’s prison cells, triggering ‘code red’
The woman’s colleague who was also assaulted was seen by a prison nurse and returned to work the next day.
Dennehy said it was unclear whether the prisoner used weapons in the attack.
“We are still collecting information on what happened.”
Lawrence Smith / Stuff
Paremoremo is home to some of the most violent criminals in the country. (File photo)
On Sunday, Corrections confirmed that the couple was assaulted after they noticed that one of the cell doors was damaged and went to take a closer look.
They were attacked by a prisoner who had been able to access the corridor by damaging and opening the door of their cell.
Additional personnel negotiated with the prisoner while others prepared to use force to secure him, Cave said.
“The prisoner complied with the instructions and was transferred handcuffed to another cell where he was searched and secured in the nude.”
The prisoner involved was already being held in a highly restricted regime of segregation led by a pattern of assault on staff and bad behavior, Cave said.
“Despite this, the staff have been actively working with him to encourage him to improve his mental well-being.”
Dennehy said local Corrections managers were providing good support to officers.
However, staff have been attacked far too often over the past three years, he said.
“It is a thankless job. They do the best they can day after day. “
Supplied
A new $ 300 million maximum security wing opened in July 2018.
Cave also praised the courage and dedication of the officers involved in the incident.
“Corrections officers come to work every day to protect New Zealanders.
“They work in extremely challenging circumstances with some of the most dangerous, difficult and sickest people in New Zealand,” he said.
During the incident, Cave said there was no risk to public safety, as there were various levels of security in the prison.
Two separate checks have been started to find out how the prisoner was able to get out of his cell.
The cell doors were designed to withstand a considerable amount of damage, Cave said, and it was necessary to investigate how the damage might have occurred to prevent it from happening again.
The reviews included an operational review conducted by the Director of Concierge and a facilities review led by Asset Manager Cushman Wakefield, who were part of a consortium that financed, designed, built and now maintained the prison.
