Hawkes Bay prisoners 'smashed' their way out of cells

Three prisoners allegedly "smashed" their way out of cells in Hawkes Bay over the weekend. Photo / Glenn Taylor

New claims have emerged of unrest at another jail soon after scandal engulfed Mt Eden prison.

Corrections Association president Beven Hanlon has claimed three prisoners "smashed" their way out of cells in Hawkes Bay over the weekend.

Mr Hanlon said a unit was locked down early because a staff shortage and "cost-cutting" was to blame for the incident.

Inmates at the publicly managed jail were using pieces of wood with nails in them to smash windows, Mr Hanlon told Stuff.co.nz.

The Department of Corrections confirmed an incident took place involving four prisoners yesterday in a low-security unit at Hawkes Bay Prison.

"The incident was resolved peacefully and quickly, with no use of force. An extra staff member was on duty at the time, along with the usual three staff in the unit."

The claims come soon after claims prisoners were routinely dropped from balconies at Mt Eden, where videos of prisoners in organised fight clubs also surfaced.

Those revelations, combined with claims of widespread consumption of illicit goods, led to the Government taking over management of the privately run Auckland prison.

The Prime Minister said today Serco could lose its contract at Mt Eden prison if its management of the facility was found wanting.

Correction was taking over management of that prison today.