Prison death suspicious, say police

The body of a male prisoner was discovered at Auckland Prison at Pareremoremo. Photo / Paul Estcourt

The death of a prisoner at Auckland Prison at Paremoremo is being treating as suspicious, say police.

They would not comment further, after the body was found at the North Shore prison this afternoon.

The male prisoner died this morning and the death was being treated as suspicious, said acting North Shore area commander, Inspector Gary Davey.

Department of Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews earlier said the department would not comment until the next of kin had been notified.

Auckland Prison holds 681 male prisoners and contains New Zealand's only specialist maximum-security prison unit.

- NZPA