A lockdown at Spring Hill Corrections Facility in Waikato ended on Saturday after a group of prisoners started a riot, lit fires, and damaged property, as reported by RNZ. Emergency services and specialist Corrections teams were deployed to bring the situation under control.
According to the Department of Corrections, the incident began around 3.30 pm when 11 inmates refused to leave the exercise yard.
The prisoners lit a “small number of fires” and caused damage to prison facilities. By about 5.30 pm, all prisoners had exited the yard and were secured, while the fires were extinguished, RNZ reports.
Custodial Services Commissioner Leigh Marsh praised staff for their swift action. “The incident was contained to the yard, and there was no threat to the safety of the public or the wider prison,” she said, confirming there were no injuries to staff or inmates.
“This behaviour will not be tolerated and the prisoners involved will be held to account. Corrections will carry out a review into the incident, and will also refer the matter to Police,” Marsh added, while acknowledging the support of Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), Police, and St John, as reported by RNZ.
FENZ shift manager Michael Anderson said five fire trucks, two water tankers, a ladder truck, and a command unit were deployed to the prison. Police confirmed they were notified around 3.50 pm of the disorder and fire at the facility.
Authorities have confirmed a full review is now underway into the disturbance.
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