Hawke's Bay Prison disturbance: Six inmates clamber onto roof

A group of prisoners made their way onto the roof of Hawke's Bay Regional Prison on Monday afternoon. Photo / Warren Buckland

A group of six prisoners remain on the roof of Hawke's Bay Regional Prison.

It's understood the youth unit inmates scaled part of the building in their ascent about 2.30pm. They were still there at 8.30pm this evening.

The prisoners are aged 17 to 19.

They could be in for a cold night - temperatures are currently 4C and could drop as low as 2C overnight.

Liz Hawthorn, Lower North Regional Commissioner, said staff responded "immediately to contain the incident" and were currently talking to the prisoners.

"All other prisoners in the Youth Unit have been safely secured," Hawthorn said.

"The area is within the secure perimeter of the prison's unit. There is no threat to the wider security of the prison and no threat to public safety."

A police spokeswoman confirmed police were aware of an incident at the prison, but have not been called in and could not give further detail.

In July 2011 a protest at the prison was sparked after an inmate persuaded 11 other prisoners to protest his reclassification with him.

In July 2011 inmates (pictured) made headlines after a rooftop protest at Hawke's Bay Prison. Photo / NZME

Seven of those were detained by guards overnight with five remaining protesters making their way onto the roof via the ceiling cavity.

One prisoner surrendered about midday, and the other four remained in what amounted to a 23-hour rooftop standoff.