One prisoner comes down from roof

The inmates on the prison roof. Photo / Paul Taylor

Almost 20 hours into a protest by five prisoners on the roof of Hawke's Bay Regional Prison, one prisoner has come down.

Prison Services general manager Brendan Anstiss said the incident started about 4.45pm yesterday when a prisoner became agitated after he was told he had been reclassified to maximum security status.

"After being informed of this, he encouraged 11 other prisoners to protest the decision with him."

The protest initially started in the unit and during the night seven prisoners were removed from the unit and had been locked up.

A Department of Corrections spokeswoman confirmed one prisoner had recently come down from the roof and it was now a case of waiting for the other four prisoners to follow.

"We imagine that given this one has given up it's just a matter of time, it's cold, wet and they're hungry."

The five prisoners spent the night on the roof of Hawke's Bay Prison in a protest over an inmate's security upgrade.

Earlier this morning the prisoners were making Mongrel Mob salutes from the roof, and asking guards for chicken sandwiches.

About six prison officers were positioned on a nearby roof wearing riot gear, while about four more could be seen stationed on the ground.

The compound where the prisoners were located was surrounded by two perimeter fences, and there was no risk of the prisoners escaping.

"We've got the area surrounded with corrections officers," said Mr Antiss.

"There's nowhere for them to go so there's no threat to public safety or staff.

"These are pretty rare occurrences but we do train for these situations."

The protest began at 4.45pm yesterday when one prisoner became agitated after he was reclassified to maximum security, Mr Anstiss said.

The security change would mean being transferred to a maximum security site.

"He had been reclassified because of his behaviour in prison and ironically now he's demonstrated exactly the behaviour that has caused us to be concerned about his security."

The inmate encouraged another 11 prisoners to join the protest with him in an accommodation wing of the prison.

Other prisoners would be on a restricted regime with reduced unlocked time and activities until the situation was resolved.

Mr Anstiss said the prisoners involved would face disciplinary action within the prison, which could result in sanctions. It was up to police whether charges would be laid.

"Police were involved from early on, they're at the prison and working with corrections."

Hastings Sergeant Mike Stevenson said police had sent "a handful" of officers to the scene.

"We have a few negotiators out there doing their thing, but the ongoing incident is being contained by prison staff," he said.