Waikeria Prison Uprising: National Party MPs Denied Entry; family members arrive

By RNZ

Two members of the National Party were denied entry to the Waikeria prison this afternoon as the inmate uprising shows little sign of being resolved.

The inmates holding part of the Waikeria prison are now in their fifth day under siege. Overnight a great fire was seen burning where the men are.

Two national MPs, Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger and Corrections spokesperson Simeon Brown, attempted to enter the prison this afternoon, but were turned away by prison authorities.

They were told that under normal circumstances they would have been allowed in, but it was an emergency situation and they would need permission from the Minister of Corrections.

Brown has been calling for a full investigation into how the riot started and why it has been allowed to continue.

Six prison vans left the premises this morning and several Fire and Emergency vehicles entered the prison grounds.

A former Waikeria prison guard, who does not want to be identified, told RNZ that the culture is toxic and conditions are bad.

They resigned a few years ago and described that the water was in a terrible state and that the staff did not even touch it.

The former prison guard said the yard where inmates exercise was so dilapidated that if it were a zoo yard it would be closed.

They also said that there is racism and an underlying negative culture towards prisoners.

In its latest statement issued last night, Corrections said the prisoners had broken into a restricted area and built improvised weapons that could be used against prison staff.

The department said the prisoners have continued to cause extensive damage to the facilities.

The incident controller, Jeanette Burns, said it is concerning that the men have had access to weapons and equipment.

He said negotiations are ongoing and the prisoners have had multiple opportunities to surrender.

The relatives of one of the 16 prisoners who organize the protest have arrived at the doors.

The RNZ reporter, who is in the prison, said that screams could be heard from inside the doors of the low-security prison.

– RNZ