Charges after prison guard assaults

Photo / Thinkstock

Police have yet to decide what charges two inmates will face after allegedly assaulting two prison officers with metal bars while trying to escape from Waikato's Waikeria Prison on Saturday night.

"The investigation is still underway and we hope to have charges finalised in the next day or so when we have been able to interview the second victim and establish the full criminality of the two offenders," said Detective Sergeant Ross Patterson of Te Awamatu police.

The inmates escaped from their cells about 8.30pm and allegedly assaulted a male officer, who then secured himself in the guard room, Corrections Department chief executive Ray Smith said.

A female officer had retreated to call for help, when the prisoners found her and assaulted her, he said.

She talked to the prisoners while waiting for other staff to arrive.

Corrections Association president Beven Hanlon said the metal bars used in the alleged assault were made from items broken from the inmates' cells.

Both prison officers were taken to hospital with head injuries. One had been discharged.

The other officer remained in hospital under observation, Corrections told NZPA today.

- NZPA