A prison in Waikato was under lockdown for several hours after 11 inmates damaged prison property and lit “several small fires” in the exercise yard, Corrections says.
Emergency services were called to Spring Hill Corrections Facility near Meremere around 3.30pm after a group of prisoners refused to exit the exercise yard.
“Some of the prisoners are refusing to exit an exercise yard and are damaging prison property,” Corrections’ Commissioner Custodial Services, Leigh Marsh, told 1News in a statement.
“The prisoners have lit several small fires on the concrete in the exercise yard they are in, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand are in attendance.”
Corrections initially reported that there were 10 inmates involved, but it has since been revised to 11.
Marsh said the prison “has been locked down as a precaution”.
In an update this afternoon, Marsh said by 5.30pm, “all prisoners had exited the yard and were secured. The small fires are out”.
“Corrections staff did an excellent job safely bringing this afternoon’s incident at Spring Hill Corrections Facility to an end, without any injury to staff or prisoners.
“The incident was contained to the yard, and there was no threat to the safety of the public or the wider prison.
“The are no reports of injury to staff and prisoners.”
He continued: “This behaviour will not be tolerated and the prisoners involved will be held to account.”
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Marsh said Corrections “will carry out a review into the incident, and will also refer the matter to Police”.
“We would like to acknowledge the support of our colleagues at FENZ, Police and Hato Hone St John in responding to this afternoon’s incident.”
Fire and Emergency services were called to the prison around 3.20pm.
“They initially attended with two fire trucks and a water tanker, before requesting further resources,” a Fire and Emergency spokesperson told 1News.
“There are now four fire trucks, one ladder truck, two water tankers and one command unit on the scene.”
A police spokesperson told 1News they were advised of a “reported disorder and fire” incident at the facility around 3.50pm.
“Officers are in attendance and will assist as required.”
Hato Hone St John is also in attendance after being alerted to the incident around 3.46pm, a spokesperson said. It responded with two ambulances, one rapid response unit, two managers, and one first response unit to the scene as a precaution.
