Prison Drama: Police Still In Waikeria Prison, Where Inmates Are Burning Rooftop Mattresses

Police are still in Waikeria prison tonight more than six hours after arriving to negotiate with runaway inmates who are on the roof burning mattresses.

Specialized advanced control and containment teams, made up of staff from a variety of prisons, are in the jail where inmates have been causing riots since early this afternoon.

Police, firefighters and St John are also on site as correctional officers continue to try to negotiate with inmates and ensure the safety of everyone in the prison.

While there is no threat to public safety, Corrections has moved 49 inmates from one unit to another part of the prison as the incident continues.

A spokesman said 19 prisoners have been sighted on the roof of the building. This includes those who were involved in lighting a fire in a courtyard today, along with several others who were able to get out of their cells with help.

“The prisoners have been able to access some parts of the building by breaking the ceiling space, however, their movement within the building is restricted by internal doors, barriers and secured doors.”

“There is a lot of smoke around the building that comes from mattresses lit by inmates.”

Inmates lit several fires in the prison’s exercise yard Tuesday afternoon, and Fire and Emergency were called in to put them out.

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

The situation was thought to be under control before nine prisoners refused to follow instructions, Newshub reported.

The criminals allegedly removed the bathroom doors from their hinges and used them as weapons against staff.

RNZ reported that there were still prisoners on the roof and in the yard who had not been contained until 7.30pm on Tuesday.

Corrections Association president Alan Whitley said the union was offering support, RNZ said.

“We are always concerned about people when a situation like this occurs, but we have specialized teams that have specialized training, they are professional people and they will do a professional job to control the situation.” “Whitley said.

St John staff treated various staff members and inmates for smoke inhalation. At least one prisoner is believed to bleed after an altercation with the guards.

One inmate on remand said a prison riot was imminent, with inmates protesting basic human rights. They claimed there were problems at the prison, including toilet paper that took days to provide, Newshub reported.

A Corrections spokesperson said earlier today that the incident was contained and 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.”

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.