Rolleston youth justice facility escape attempt: Staffer stabbed with makeshift weapon

A routine Sunday night at a Rolleston youth justice facility turned to mayhem when five teenagers attempted an escape, during which a staff member was stabbed with a makeshift weapon.

They made it as far as the gym roof of Te Puna Wai o Tūhinapō, before police intervened and brought the offenders down after almost four hours.

It is understood the attempted breakout was a result of “clear planning”.

Overseen by Oranga Tamariki, Ministry for Children, the youth justice residence has the capacity to hold up to 40 young offenders.

The facility has four open units - which hold up to 10 teenagers at a time - as well as a secure unit where serious matters inside the facility are resolved.

It is understood the attempted breakout was a result of “clear planning”. Photo / NZME

The Herald understands the breakout was staged at one of the open units, where the teens took advantage of a poorly maintained window to escape shortly after 8.30pm.

The group staged a distraction at a separate unit to draw the attention of staff, before kicking open an allegedly expensive glass window and climbing onto the unit’s roof.

It’s understood an Oranga Tamariki inspection at the end of last year found the window’s surrounding metal plates needed maintenance.

After being confronted by a staff member, one of the group’s members allegedly used a sharp makeshift weapon to stab the staffer.

Oranga Tamariki confirmed a staff member was mildly injured.

The escape triggered a mass emergency service callout from nearby police stations.

Oranga Tamariki confirmed a staff member was injured in the escape. Photo / NZME

Police said they arrived at the residence at 8.38pm, and “assisted in talking the youths down”.

One of the group members was taken into police custody and charged with common assault, while other charges are being considered for the rest of the group.

Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive Rachel Leota told the media the agency would be conducting a review into the matter.

There are four youth justice residences in New Zealand.

Auckland is home to Korowai Manaaki in Wiri and Whakatakapokai in Weymouth. Another in Rotorua is called Te Maioha o Parekarangi.

According to the National Union of Public Employees (NEPU), all four of the nation’s youth justice residences have had “multiple abscondings” over the past 12 months.

It’s an issue that requires experience and perception from its staff members, which the union believes is lacking.

Te Puna Wai in Rolleston is an Oranga Tamariki facility that has a capacity for up to 40 young people. Photo / NZME

“There have been staffing shortages, which has started to improve, but they’re inexperienced,” national secretary Janice Gemmell said.

“When you’re dealing with clever, experienced youth you need to be really on your game and more training is needed. For example, staff need to understand how kids can access things from the outside.”

Staff turnover has been an issue at youth justice residences across the country, including Te Puna Wai, according to Gemmell.

Among the driving factors is staff frustration over having their every action and decision monitored on CCTV cameras throughout the facility.

Gemmell has seen numerous cases of split-second decisions made by staff, which last for mere seconds, be “taken to Wellington” where footage is put under the microscope and reviewed from every angle.

“Staff think there’s a big risk working in these places and they’re not prepared to take that risk when they have families and could lose their job easily,” she said.

“Every time there’s a need for physical intervention, it’s always scrutinised through the cameras. I don’t disagree with it, but it has to be realistic with the behaviour you manage.”

Oranga Tamariki has refused to comment further because of the ongoing inquiry into the Rolleston escape.

Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis told the Herald youth justice staff are doing “a great job in looking after some of the most challenging youth in the country”.

He praised the staff’s response in containing the situation, which he believes could have turned volatile.

“As with any incident like this, Oranga Tamariki will do a review to see if anything could have been done differently,” he said.

“I would expect changes to follow if that is the case.”