Armed police free jail hostage

Armed police forced their way into a room and overpowered an armed inmate holding a female guard hostage at Paremoremo prison yesterday.

The tense standoff at the medium security prison began at 3pm when the 46-year-old inmate, understood to be a convicted sex offender, dragged the woman into a 2.7m by 2.7m storeroom and locked the door.

Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews said the incident appeared to be planned and was witnessed by another prison officer.

Prison officers and police trained to deal with hostage situations negotiated with the inmate.

"I don't want to comment on his motivation.

"There weren't any demands but that's something I think is best left to the police investigation," said Mr Matthews.

Inspector Gary Davey said police were trying to negotiate a "settled outcome" but the inmate began threatening the hostage.

"Unfortunately the situation deteriorated to the point where we became immediately concerned for her safety," Mr Davey said.

The hostage guard called out to police, prompting members of the armed offenders squad to force their way into the room.

"AOS always have weapons," Mr Davey said.

"The Taser was a paramount consideration right throughout but it was not used."

The inmate, who had been in the prison "for some time", would face charges, Mr Davey said.

The guard, aged in her 50s, was not injured but was taken to hospital for assessment. She was later discharged.

The inmate, who suffered minor injuries, was taken into secure custody.

As the drama unfolded, police, fire engines and ambulances arrived at the prison.

A bus was parked across the road to block views of the prison building and the airspace above the prison was closed when media helicopters started hovering.

Mr Matthews said the department was "relieved and thankful" that the officer was safe and no one was injured.

"We will now be providing support to the officer and other staff who have been affected during this event," he said.

Mr Matthews told National Radio that the officer worked with the prisoner.

"There would be obviously opportunities for the officer to be grabbed by the prisoner."

The Public Service Association, representing prison staff, called for a full and independent investigation.

"We need to establish what factors led to the hostage situation and whether concerns about overcrowding, levels of staffing and workload pressures contributed to this incident," said national secretary Brenda Pilott.

"This unfortunate incident is a reminder of the risks that staff in our public prisons face every day when they go to work."

She said the investigation should look at initiatives to ensure staff safety was a priority for management.

It is understood serious offenders have recently been moved into the unit where the woman was taken hostage because of space demands created by remand prisoners.

Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor said he was relieved the hostage situation was over and that no one was injured.

He said it was heartening to see the procedures for handling such events had proved effective.

"It is a great outcome."

However, he had asked Mr Matthews for an urgent report because the circumstances that led to the event needed to be considered.