Waikeria Prison uprising: National Party MPs refused entry; family members arrive

National’s Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger and Corrections spokesman Simeon Brown outside Waikeria Prison. Snapshot / Riley Kennedy / RNZ

By RNZ

Two members method National Party have this afternoon found itself refused entry to Waikeria Jail, as the uprising by inmates tv shows little sign of being resolved.

Inmates holding up item of Waikeria Prison are now into their fourth day under siege. Overnight lots of fire was seen burning while men are.

Four National MPs – Taranaki-King State MP Barbara Kuriger and Punition spokesman Simeon Brown – attemptedto enter the prison this afternoon, but obtained been turned back by prison regulators.

They were declared under normal circumstances they would occur to be allowed in, but this was when you need it situation and they would need permission by the Corrections Minister.

Brown has been calling for a full scrutiny into how the riot started along with why it has been allowed to continue.

Six prison vehicles have left the facility this morning along with number of Fire and Emergency motors have gone onto the prison property.

A former Waikeria Prison guard, who does not want to stay identified, has told RNZ the particular culture is toxic and the weather is poor.

Men and women resigned a few years ago and identified the water being in an atrocious state, along with staff not even touching it.

The former prison guard house security said the yard where inmates exercise was so run down, if it turns out was a zoo yard it would be closed.

They also pronounced there’s racism and an underlying distressing culture towards the inmates.

In its latest statement given last night, Corrections said the criminals had broken into a restricted site and constructed makeshift weapons this can include used against prison staff.

The department claims the prisoners have continued in cause extensive damage to the area.

Department of Corrections chief executive Jeremy Lightfoot spoke to the media for that ongoing situation at Waikeria Camp. Video / Michael Craig

Incident control Jeanette Burns said it is terrifying that the men have gained access to tools and equipment.

She said negotiations are prolonged and the prisoners have had multiple to be able to surrender.

Loved ones of one of the 16 prisoners staging the protest have arrived at this particular gates.

RNZ’s reporter, who is at the prison, expressed yelling could be heard from inside the low-security prison gates.

– RNZ