Jail fire: Prison officers negotiate with nine inmates

Correctional staff are negotiating with nine Waikeria prison inmates who refuse to follow the staff’s instructions.

The inmates lit several fires in the prison’s exercise yard where they were staying, and Fire and Emergency Services were called to put them out.

The prison has been closed as a precaution.

Some prisoners are reportedly being treated for smoke inhalation.

About 20 prisoners were using the yard when the fire started, says a Corrections spokesman.

The incident is contained and the spokesperson emphasized that there was no threat to public safety.

“We have comprehensive procedures for handling prisoner disorder events,” they said.

“Our advanced control and restriction teams with specialized capabilities are on standby to help if needed. Our top priority is to resolve the situation safely.”

Firefighters remain on site.

Last year, two officers from the Waikeria Prison Correctional Facility were punched in the face on nearly the same number of days, while fighting was also reported between inmates.

An inmate struck an officer in the face and another officer was also injured when he stepped in to help.

The altercation comes after an officer was threatened and beaten a few days earlier.

There had also been two advance reports of prisoners fighting each other.

Waikeria Prison is one of the largest prisons in New Zealand, located on a 1200ha site south of Te Awamutu in the Waikato region.