Auckland prison guards arrested

Mt Eden Prison. File photo / NZH

Two Auckland prison guards were arrested today and face a number of charges after a joint operation between police and the Department of Corrections.

The men, who work at Mt Eden and Auckland Central remand prisons, have been charged with a number of offences under the Corrections Act, and one has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

Corrections did not say what the men were alleged to have done. Both are to appear in court today.

In addition to criminal charges being laid, the officers have been stood down from their employment and will be subject to further investigation.

"These charges are the result of a long running investigation between the department's professional standards unit and police," said Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews.

"The charges that these men are now facing demonstrates the vigilance and effectiveness of our monitoring systems."

Mr Matthews said that the department would be continuing its investigations and would not hesitate to investigate any staff member who was suspected of acting unethically.

"I would like to thank and acknowledge the police for their cooperation and assistance during the investigation. This development is a testament to good relationships within the wider justice sector."

- NZPA