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One prisoner has surrendered, but 16 others remain standing in the besieged Waikeria prison, which will be visited by Maori party leader Rawiri Waititi as prisoners protest the poor living conditions.
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Seventeen inmates remain in hiding at Waikato’s Waikeria Prison after starting a riot Tuesday afternoon. Source: 1 NEWS
It comes after efforts to negotiate with a local kaumātua failed today, after the prisoners requested his visit.
Now, the confrontation in one of the largest prisons in the country appears to continue for a fourth day, with no signs of ending.
“These men belong to whānau. They are our parents, brothers, children and uncles,” says Waititi, who is also the Waiariki MP.
“They deserve the right to be treated humanely, with fresh water, clean food and clothes, and they deserve to have someone to defend them.”
Earlier today, the Department of Corrections said negotiations are continuing after talks with local kaumātua were unsuccessful.
“We continue to work with prisoners to encourage them to stop their actions,” says a spokesman.
One of the 17 prisoners involved turned himself in this afternoon and is now speaking to police, Corrections says. Sixteen others continue to participate in the riot, in which one of the oldest buildings in Waikeria prison was destroyed and fires were lit.
Police are still deciding whether to press charges.
“We are concerned that [the remaining prisoners] They are putting themselves at significant risk by staying where they are. The damage to the building is significant, “says Corrections.
About 200 more prisoners have been evacuated to other facilities due to concerns for their safety, the Corrections spokesman says.
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Waikeria Prison, one of the largest in New Zealand, has been under siege for about 28 hours. Source: 1 NEWS
The spokesperson also denied reports that inmates had been pointed with firearms or that shots had been heard.
The men say they are protesting well-documented problems with living conditions at Waikeria prison
Earlier this year, a report that followed a surprise visit by the Ombudsman found that prisoners were housed in two bunks in cells designed for only one, natural light was lacking and ventilation was lacking, and prisoners were forced to eat nearby. of the bathrooms.
The report concluded that the high security unit is no longer suitable for its purpose.
A report from the prison inspection in 2017 found that the high-security wing in Waikeria was in very poor condition, and another report two years later found that little had been done to improve the upper jail.
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Corrections says that a group of prisoners continues to “fail” until the second day. Source: 1 NEWS
1 NEWS It has been reported that inmates have to wash their underwear and socks in the shower because they cannot access the dirty clothes, plus they are forced to drink dirty brown water.
Waititi says he wants to meet with the prisoners “to support their call for justice and work towards a solution.”
“The Maori Party will always stand up for our most vulnerable people. It is our obligation to do so and we will always rise up to be the voice of the voiceless. This is one of those times.”
Corrections says there is no risk to public safety from the protest and no personnel or prisoners have been injured.
He declined to comment further on the circumstances of the release of the sole prisoner or to provide further information.
