Mount Eden prisoners refused lock-up

The stand-off lasted for an hour at the Mt Eden facility. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Security reinforcements were put on stand-by and Mount Eden prison locked-down after disorder involving a group of up to 50 prisoners.

The stand-off lasted for an hour.

Corrections northern regional commissioner Jeanette Burns said media reports describing the disorder as a riot were incorrect.

"A group of prisoners in one unit had refused to be locked. This was not a riot.

"The prison was put into lockdown, and the wider security of the prison and community was always maintained. The good work of staff ensured the incident was resolved peacefully."

Ms Burns said advanced control and restraint teams from Auckland Prison and Spring Hill Corrections Facility were put on standby, which is standard practice.

A spokeswoman for Corrections Minister Judith Collins said she had been given updates on the disorder, which was peacefully resolved around 1pm.

"No one was hurt, and no there was no damage."

Corrections stepped in last July to manage the remand prison, which was being operated by British company Serco, following allegations of fight clubs involving inmates and drug smuggling.