Nine Corrections staff from Mt Eden prison have been arrested as part of a wider Auckland police operation.
The Department of Corrections confirmed nine staff at the Mt Eden Corrections Facility had been taken into custody, but would not say what they were alleged to have done.
Deputy commissioner for men's prisons Dave Pattinson said the arrests included both corrections officers and senior corrections officers.
"This matter is now subject to active investigation and court proceedings, which we don’t want to compromise in any way. We are actively working through the impact on these staff members’ employment," he said in a statement.
"Corrections has assisted police throughout their operation and will continue to do so."
He noted the arrests were part of a "wider police operation in the Auckland area".
Pattinson emphasised the vast majority of Corrections staff did the right thing.
"Criminal activity in our prisons will not be tolerated and any prisoners or staff taking part in this sort of activity will be found out and held to account," he said.
"Corrections employs approximately 11,000 staff and the overwhelming majority act with integrity, professionalism and honesty in what is an extremely demanding and often dangerous job working with New Zealand's most dangerous offenders."
Pattinson said inmates often tried to continue offending from behind bars.
"The safety and security of our prisons is our top priority. Many prisoners go to extreme lengths and use significant manipulation tactics in an attempt to continue offending while in prison," he said.
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