An elaborate escape plan hatched by prisoners at Auckland Prison was thwarted by wardens who discovered handmade tools which had been used to dislodge a window frame.
The plan was uncovered on Tuesday during "information gathering procedures" at Paremoremo, Public Prisons Service northern regional manager Warren Cummins said yesterday.
"Weunderstand that once the prisoners had got through the window, there would have been someone from outside of the prison who was to cut a hole in the perimeter fence so they could complete their getaway."
"Planning would appear to have been quite elaborate and escape-related items were found in more than one location," he said.
Drugs and cellphones were among items found during a search of the prison following the escape attempt.
A spokesman for the Corrections Department would not comment on what was found, but said a "number of items" were discovered.
Mr Cummins said a thorough investigation had started.
"Escapes from high-to-medium prisons like Auckland have been rare in recent years due to much-improved security measures," Mr Cummins said.
"Since 1996-1997, the number of escapes has dropped from 87 to 20 in 2005-2006, a decrease of some 78 per cent," he said.
National Systems and Security manager Karen Urwin said there had been significant developments in prison security in the lastdecade.
"In addition to the construction of more secure perimeter fences, there has been an emphasis on centralised security management and entry control, and an appropriate mix of physical barriers, detection, surveillance and lighting systems."
Ongoing investment in staff training and development had also helped staff to identify and manage the symptoms leading up to escapes, she said.
Behind the wire
* New Zealand's maximum security prison houses some of the country's most violent and dangerous criminals.
* Known as Auckland Prison, it has an average muster of 645 inmates.
* Also has a minimum-security work and pre-release unit, a low-medium security unit, and a 60-bed special treatment unit for sex offenders
