Inmate singled out in jail death

Police say the prisoner killed in an Auckland jail died after he was attacked by other inmates.

Tue Faavae, 23, who was serving time for aggravated robbery, was on time-out from his cell in the east wing of the prison when he was set upon on Sunday morning.

Police won't say how Faavae was attacked or what injuries were inflicted other than it was a "serious assault by other inmates".

Detective Senior Sergeant Kim Libby, of North Shore CIB, said police were focusing on what happened in the east wing before the body was discovered. A post mortem examination was carried out on Faavae yesterday.

Department of Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews said prisoners who weren't on specific segregation orders had to have at least an hour out of their cells each day.

"East Division holds 261 prisoners. It is simply not possible for each of these prisoners to be given the required time out of their cells one at a time," Mr Matthews said.

He has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Faavae's death. It would focus on whether standards, procedures and "proper management" of Faavae's sentence were being followed when he was attacked. He also wanted to know what changes to procedures have been made since other serious assaults in the high security area of Auckland Prison so staff and prisoner safety could be improved.

Almost 20 police have been assigned to the investigation.