Auckland Prison officers charged after investigation into force used after a stabbing

Auckland Prison.

Three Auckland Prison officers have been charged following investigation into force used after a stabbing.

One officer was stabbed multiple times in the incident on May 20, with three inmates jointly charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and aggravated assault following the attack.

But Waitemata Police have also been investigating the force used by corrections officers in response to the attack, due to the injuries received by the prisoners.

Concerns were also raised by Corrections, Inspector Sunny Patel, North Shore acting Area Commander, said.

As a result three Corrections officers have also been charged. They will appear in the North Shore District Court on Friday morning.

One guard, aged 34, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with reckless disregard, and a second, 26, has been charged with assault with intent to injure.

A third man, aged 31, has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Auckland Prison director Andy Langley said Corrections is working closely with police following the incident.

"Immediately following the incident, I reported it to Police and made changes to the management of the wing where the incident took place.

"It also came to my attention that standard procedures in the event of use of force were allegedly not followed - this too was referred to Police," he said.

Three staff were suspended after the incident, Langley said.

A Corrections inspectorate report into the incident, and any connected incidents, is under way alongside a full operational review, he said.

A scheduled inspection of Auckland Prison is also being carried out by the Corrections Inspectorate, under a new inspection regime introduced this year. Prisoner welfare will be looked at as part of the in depth review.

"Corrections has a zero tolerance to violence policy. No assault or violent behaviour by a prisoner, or a staff member, is acceptable," Langley said. "Anyone who takes part in this kind of behaviour can expect to be prosecuted."

Neither Police nor Corrections would comment further as the matter is before the courts.