Inmates at Auckland Prison locked down after guards call in sick

Inmates at Auckland Prison were locked down at the weekend after guards called in sick in a show of solidarity with colleagues charged with assaulting prisoners. Photo / File

Inmates at Auckland Prison were locked down for longer than usual inside their maximum security cells at the weekend after prison guards called in sick en masse in a show of solidarity with colleagues charged with assaulting prisoners.

Three Corrections officers have pleaded not guilty to assault charges after a guard and inmates were injured at Auckland Prison at Paremoremo.

The men, aged 34, 26, and 31, appeared at North Shore District Court on Friday to face charges of causing grievous bodily harm with reckless disregard, assault with intent to injure, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Corrections have confirmed "a higher than usual number of staff absences" on Saturday.

It's understood staff called in sick as a co-ordinated response in support of their accused comrades.

Prison guards from other New Zealand jails were enlisted to provide cover for the weekend.

But the Herald understands that due to the staff shortage over the weekend, prisoners in Auckland Prison's maximum security B Block were kept in their cells for longer periods.

"This has been an unsettling time for some officers, and there were a higher than usual number of staff absences on Saturday, although this had reduced by Sunday," said Auckland Prison director Andy Langley.

"Contingency plans were in place to deal with this, including bringing in some outside staff as a precautionary measure, and the prison was operating as normal with some restricted regimes in place."

Corrections chief executive Ray Smith paid a visit and spoke to staff at the weekend, Langley confirmed.

Other than the prolonged lockdown, the prison operated as normal and there were no incidents of note, Corrections says.

Auckland Prison is operating as normal today, with staffing at the usual level.

"We will continue to support staff and address any concerns they have, while at the same time giving full support to the ongoing police investigation," Langley added.

Inmates allegedly attacked Corrections officers at Auckland Prison on May 20. An officer was stabbed multiple times.

As a result of the attack, police charged three prisoners, two aged 22 and one aged 24.

They appeared at the North Shore District Court on June 6, jointly charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and aggravated assault.

Police also investigated the force Corrections officers used after the attack. The prisoners were injured and concerns were raised by Corrections.

Langley, who has been in the role for four months, earlier said all three staff members have been suspended.

"I reported it to police and made changes to the management of the wing where the incident took place," he said.

A Corrections Inspectorate report is under way, alongside a full operational review.

The Corrections Inspectorate is also currently carrying out a scheduled in-depth inspection of Auckland Prison, which looks at all aspects of the facility, including prisoner welfare.

It is the second prison in New Zealand to be subject to such an in-depth review since a new inspection regime was introduced earlier this year.