For Immediate Release Date 30 April 2013

Please attribute to George Massingham, Prison Manager, Hawkes Bay Regional Prison.

A disturbance between two groups of prisoners in a unit in Hawkes Bay Regional Prison has left some prisoners with minor injuries for which they’re being treated on site.

An assessment will be made to determine if they require further treatment.

A number of the prisoners have been relocated to another unit after the opposing groups clashed.

No Corrections staff have been injured.

“Such events are thankfully rare in our prison system but they can happen at any time when disagreements turn into something more serious, as in this case.

“I’m grateful for the way prison staff acted turn to contain the situation and prevent further injury to prisoners. Thanks to their quick work the whole incident lasted about 10 minutes and the rest of the prison remained largely unaffected.

“There was no risk to the community at any stage and both groups of prisoners have been separated. An investigation will now determine whether any of the prisoners will face charges.”

ENDS

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