Makeshift weapons that were used during separate gang related attacks by prisoners on two maximum security inmates in Auckland Prison were made with materials broken off from the building Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis has revealed.
Both the two perpetrators of the assaults during the weekend, and the two victims, were maximum security prisoners.
The two assault victims were escorted to Auckland Hospital and are receiveing medical attention. The are both in a stable condition.
Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis told 1 NEWS the makeshift weapons were made from parts of the prison building.
"Part of the problem is the age and the condition of Auckland Prison," Mr Davis said.
"It's because it is coming to the end of its life. It's quite easy to break off parts of the prison building and shape them into weapons. These are very serious issues that need to be addressed.
"The building is not in the best standard and that is part of the problem."
Review needed says Kelvin Davis
Mr Davis said there needs to be a review of the gang strategy that has been in place for a couple of years and believes the number of prison attacks can be reduced through "new facilities and extra vigilance."
"It's really important that we prevent people getting to prison in the first place because prisons are seen as a recruiting ground for gangs."
The Labour-led government has a goal of reducing the prison population by 30 per cent over the next 15 years, which Mr Davis said is "an ambitious target"
"I have asked officials to go away and come back with options about how we might be able to do that," he explained.
"The more people that come into prison, the more fertile the breeding grounds are for gangs."
Gang-related incidents
In a statement yesterday, Auckland Prison director Andy Langley said both incidents appear to be gang-related.
"Staff responded with bravery and professionalism to bring both events under control immediately," Mr Langley said in a statement.
"The perpetrators of the assaults were immediately secured, and several will be placed on directed segregation to manage the risk to safety that their behaviour presents.
"Our staff work with some of New Zealand’s most difficult and challenging citizens."
Mr Langley said police have been advised on the assaults by the prison and will be investigating the incidents.
Mr Langley also cited that 75 per cent of the prison population have convictions for violence in their offending histories.
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