Escape tip-off from Rimutaka inmates

Guards did not learn of the cell-break until other inmates phoned a hotline.

The escape of two Rimutaka inmates from their cells in March was reported when fellow inmates rang an 0800 number for confidential tip-offs about prisons, Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor has confirmed.

New Zealand First alleged at the time of the cell-break, in late March, that prison guards had not been aware of the brief late-night excursion until fellow prisoners told them two days later.

Mr O'Connor has now confirmed that in answers to parliamentary questions from National MP Simon Power.

"A phone call was made to the department's 0800 JAILSAFE number," the minister said.

Asked if the call came from an inmate, he said yes. It had been the only breach of security systems at Rimutaka in the past two years.

During the cell-break on March 26, two prisoners left their cell and wandered into an empty guards' room, stealing cigarettes.

Corrections said at the time that they had been away for less than five minutes and were not able to leave their unit or to reach the perimeter of the prison, which houses 84 high- and medium-security prisoners.

At the time of the cell-break, Mr O'Connor said he believed there had been an electrical fault in one door of a cell that held two prisoners.

Corrections could not confirm that last night, saying the investigation into the incident was not yet over.

Mr Power said the incident sounded like something from television's Hogan's Heroes "where prisoners at Stalag 13 are free to wander around [at] night ... and no one has any idea it is happening".

Mr O'Connor said through a spokesman last night that he had been assured that public safety was never at risk.