‘Prisoner on prisoner’ attack: Inmate in ICU after serious assault at Hawke’s Bay Prison

Police were called to Hawke's Bay Prison. Photo / Paul Taylor

An inmate is in a critical condition in ICU following a serious assault at Hawke’s Bay Prison.

The “prisoner on prisoner” assault happened on Friday about 8.45am and led to one prisoner, a man in his 40s, rushed to Hawke’s Bay Hospital with serious injuries.

Hawke’s Bay Hospital confirmed the patient was in a critical condition in the intensive care unit (ICU) as at late afternoon.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison director George Massingham said there was no indication a weapon had been used.

“A prisoner has been taken to hospital after an alleged prisoner-on-prisoner assault,” he said.

“Staff responded to the incident and secured the alleged perpetrators and provided first aid to the victim.”

He said police had been notified and Corrections would carry out a review. Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison is an all-male prison.

“Violence in prison is not tolerated and anyone who displays such behaviour will be held to account for their actions, including potentially facing criminal charges,” Massingham said.

“Prisons can be volatile environments, and we are constantly working to ensure our prisons provide the safest environment possible for staff and prisoners.

“Many prisoners have long histories of antisocial behaviour, and can behave unpredictably and act without warning.

“Over 80 per cent of the prison population have convictions for violence in their offending histories.”

Police also attended the scene after the assault.

A witness outside the prison about an hour after the incident said there was no disorder visible, including no emergency services vehicles coming or going from the prison.