Mt Eden prison staff stood down

Mt Eden Prison. Photo / Greg Bowker

Two staff members of the Mt Eden Corrections Facility have been stood down following an escape from the Auckland prison.

Private operator Serco, which runs the new prison, said the pair were suspended until the outcome of an investigation.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further, prior to the outcome of those investigations," Serco Asia Pacific media spokesman Paul Shaw told APNZ.

He said a decision on whether to fine Serco over the escape had not yet been made by the Department of Corrections.

As part of the prison operator's contract, it can be penalised $150,000 for an escape.

Meanwhile, a man dubbed Houdini because of his ability to escape from custody appeared in Whangarei District Court today.

Aaron Stephen Forden, 30, made a five-minute appearance on a string of allegations, including that he escaped from the privately run Mt Eden Corrections Facility on October 10.

Some charges had been laid earlier after an arrest on the night of the World Cup opening ceremony in Auckland.

Forden entered no pleas and was remanded in custody to reappear in December.