Prison riot underway at Waikato's Spring Hill Corrections Facility

RNZ News

14 hours ago

Photo:
Corrections / Chai Patel
Department of Corrections staff are dealing with a riot at Waikato's Spring Hill Prison this afternoon.
Fire and Emergency were called to the facility just before 3.20pm.
Commissioner of Custodial Services Leigh Marsh told RNZ staff were dealing with 10 prisoners refusing to leave the exercise yard and damaging prison property.
"The prison has been locked down as a precaution," she said.
"The incident is contained to the yard, and there is no threat to the safety of the public or the wider prison."
The prisoners had lit several small fires in the concrete exercise yard, Marsh said.
Fire and Emergency shift manager Michael Anderson said five trucks, two water tankers, a ladder truck and a command unit were responding.
Leigh Marsh said no staff injuries had been reported but St John were on site as a precaution.
"Our Advanced Control & Restraint team with specialist capability has been dispatched to the site to assist if necessary, and we have comprehensive procedures for managing incidents where prisoners refuse to comply with staff orders."
Police said they were advised around 3:50pm of a reported disorder and fire at the facility.
Officers are in attendance and will assist as required.
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