Five inmates at Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison in ‘segregation’ after four staffers injured in altercation

Four staff were injured in an altercation with five inmates at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison on Sunday. Photo / Paul Taylor

A Corrections staffer at Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison was hospitalised with serious injuries after an altercation involving five inmates.

Three other staff were also injured after five prisoners at the facility refused to return to their cells at lock-up time on Sunday.

The prison’s deputy general manager, Shannin Mortensen, said the five prisoners have since been placed in “segregation”.

“The staff followed incident response procedures, including activation of the Prison Negotiation Team (PNT) and Advanced Control and Restraint (ACR) teams. The incident was contained to one unit with no risk to the wider prison,” Mortensen said.

He said staff successfully secured the prisoners, but during negotiations four staff were injured.

“All staff were assessed by on-site medical, with one being taken to hospital with serious injuries. They were discharged the following day.

“Three out of the four staff members are back at work, and they are being fully supported by management and our welfare team.”

Mortensen said no prisoners were injured in the incident and police had been notified.

“We can confirm police have received a report in relation to this matter. However, there’s nothing further at this stage,” a police spokesperson said.

Mortensen said assaults on staff were “unacceptable” and they go to work every day to “keep New Zealanders safe”.

“Our staff do an incredible job and work with some of New Zealand’s most challenging people in often very difficult circumstances.

“Prisons can be volatile environments, and many of the prisoners our staff work with can behave unpredictably and act without warning. Violence in prison is not tolerated and anyone who resorts to this behaviour will be held to account.”

He said the threat of violence in prison was not something they could eliminate entirely, but remained “committed to doing everything possible to minimise this risk and provide the safest environment possible for staff and prisoners”.

“We have invested in training and tools to keep our people safe. This includes training in de-escalation techniques and interpersonal and tactical communication skills, through to stab-resistant vests, body-worn cameras, and pepper spray.

“We are continuing to work with the unions to implement our Reducing Violence and Aggression Joint Action Plan and developing the next phase of this plan, called ‘Safer Prisons’, to ensure we are adapting and responsive to the current challenges and risks of the prison environment.”