Botched jail-break leaves guards hurting

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A prison officer is recovering from head injuries after he was beaten up trying to stop two inmates attempting to flee from a Waikato jail.

The Department of Corrections guard and a female colleague were assaulted when they tried to foil the inmates' escape from a low-to-medium security wing at Waikeria Prison, about 30km south of Hamilton on Saturday night.

Department of Corrections chief executive Ray Smith said the inmates got out of their cells and assaulted the male guard, who retreated and secured himself in a guardroom.

The female guard ran to call for help but was soon cornered by the inmates who assaulted her.

Mr Smith said the woman talked with the prisoners trying to de-escalate the situation while waiting for responding staff to arrive.

It's unclear where the prisoners were found, but Mr Smith said the pair did not breached the secure perimeter of the unit.

"Staff responding to the alarm were able to quickly take control of the situation, calling police and an ambulance, and relocating and securing the prisoners," said Mr Smith.

"These two officers have acted with public safety as their priority.

"They put themselves at risk to ensure there was no risk to the community.

"I've spoken with both of them and told them that I'm immeasurably proud of their actions and their concern for each other."

The two officers were taken to Waikato Hospital with head injuries.

The male guard was under observation yesterday and the female guard had been discharged.

Mr Smith said the department was investigating the circumstances surrounding the botched escape and they would speak to the affected staff after they'd fully recovered.

He said police were also investigating but it was unclear what charges the two men were likely to face.

"We'll have more information about the circumstances that led to the incident in the coming days," said Mr Smith.

"Our current focus is on supporting the wellbeing of the staff involved and their families."

The Herald understands the inmates used objects from their cells to fashion the metal bars they used to attack the guards.

Corrections Association New Zealand president Beven Hanlon said the guards were lucky not to have suffered more serious consequences.

The botched escape further highlighted the need for guards to be wearing stab-proof vests and carry handcuffs and pepper spray, as did police officers.

"If these officers had pepper spray it would have been easier for them to get to a secure area, meaning they wouldn't have been bashed about the head."

The prison houses inmates classed from low to high security.