Inmates at an Auckland prison were put in lockdown for 48 hours after obstructing corrections officers and disobeying orders.

New Zealand's prison population continues to reach all-time highs, forcing officials to get creative in juggling the numbers.

New Zealand's toughest criminals are doing yoga behind bars in a bid to reduce recidivism and help turn their lives around.

Children visiting their mothers will enjoy face painting, crafts and movies at Wellington Prison on Sunday.

The treatment of a maximum security prisoner who was frequently tied to a bed for significant lengths of time is being investigated.

COMMENT: That New Zealand is a highly imprisoned country is pretty widely known - but even those who know the numbers can be excused some confusion.

A spokeswoman for the Auckland South Corrections Facility at Wiri said the man was "taken ill" at 4.05pm.

Serco has agreed to pay $8 million to Corrections after the department stepped in last July to manage the Mt Eden Corrections facility.

The Government has charged Serco $8 million to cover the costs of resuming control of Mt Eden Corrections Facility last year.

A prisoner behind an attack on a convicted murderer which left the victim with a broken arm and fractured skull says he is not sorry.

Up to 130 more prison cells could be "double-bunked" to cope with an unexpected blow-out in the prison population, Corrections chief Ray Smith says.

Incident report by Corrections on inmate's hospital visit flight sees minister face questions about staff fatigue.

Corrections Minister rejects claims of organised prison violence.

Not a single person interviewed for an inquiry into violence at Mt Eden Corrections Facility has confirmed the practice of "dropping" inmates from balconies, Serco says.

A prisoner was found unresponsive in his cell this morning while staff were conducting routine rounds.

Almost 7000 prohibited items have been seized from inmates at prisons in 2015.

Private prison operator's contract to run troubled corrections facility will not be renewed.

The release of a report into fighting at Mt Eden Prison is held up in court, thanks to a legal challenge by former prison manager, Serco.

A prison reform group, formerly headed by the late Sir Peter Williams, QC, has been renamed in his honour.

Corrections Minister Sam Lotu-Iiga has defended the past ranking of privately run Mt Eden Prison as the best in the country, saying it was based on its record at the time.

Reprimand after prison worker says he doesn't like term 'inmates'.

A Rimutaka prisoner is in a serious condition after being assaulted by another inmate, the prison director confirmed.

Heroic fantasy books, Jack Reacher novels and crime thrillers top the reading list inside our prisons.

Serco has gone to the High Court to challenge a draft report by the prison inspectorate on claims about 'fight clubs' and contraband in Mt Eden Prison.

It's not often you'll see a lama wandering around the grounds of a prison.

Prime Minister John Key says he did not go too far by accusing the Labour Party of supporting rapists, child molesters and murderers.

Riot police have stormed the embattled Christmas Island detention centre, allegedly using gas canisters and rubber bullets to restore order.

Prime Minister John Key said it was likely New Zealanders were involved in the riots, but he did not have official confirmation of that. "My office has had an update...we're obviously aware of what's taking place there. It's a difficult situation to get all the facts on," he said. "My understanding is that there could be a small number of New Zealanders involved but we haven't been advised of any injuries to New Zealanders."