Three arrested in prison stabbing

Three prisoners at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison have been charged with attempted murder following the alleged stabbing of another inmate at the prison last month.

The 33-year-old prisoner was critically injured when he was stabbed in his chest on October 21.

The charged inmates were aged 23, 28 and 31-years-old.

Two of the men were also charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Two of the inmates charged were from the Hastings area, while the 23-year-old was from the Gisborne area.

They will all appear in Hastings District Court on Thursday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave De Lange of Hastings police said forensic analysis was still being carried out to confirm the weapon used in the attack.

The victim has since been discharged from hospital and has returned to the prison.

No arrests have been made in relation to a second assault on an 18-year-old inmate who was stabbed in his throat by a fellow prisoner at the same prison on October 27.

- NZPA