Riots rock Mt Eden prison

The disturbance followed a botched escape attempt and lasted into the next day. Several warders were taken hostage and part of the prison was gutted by fire.

Mt Eden Prison, one of New Zealand’s oldest, had had inmates since 1888. An imposing, castle-like structure of basalt rock, its design was based on English models and a belief that life in prison should be unpleasant.

By the 1960s, prisons had moved on from the floggings and dark cells of the previous century. But at Mt Eden maximum-security prisoners still languished in solitary confinement with no access to hobbies or recreation. Recent clampdowns on conditions, along with overcrowding, may have contributed to the riot.

At 2 a.m. on 20 July, two prisoners attempting to escape clubbed the unlucky warder who discovered them, took two hostages, and set about unlocking cells. Chaos ensued as prisoners lit fires and fuelled them with oil, furniture and their own personal effects. Firemen had to retreat under a barrage of bricks and other missiles.

Armed police, warders and troops stood guard around the prison, discouraging any attempts to break out with warning shots and high-powered hoses. Eventually the lack of food, fuel and shelter took its toll, and the prisoners surrendered 33 hours after the riot began. The rebellious mood spread: conflicts broke out and fires were started at Wellington’s Mt Crawford Prison and Paparua Prison in Christchurch.

The damage at Mt Eden was extensive. Basements, storerooms, the kitchen, chapel, watch house and 61 cells were destroyed, and the prison roof was extensively damaged. The riot was followed by further calls for the prison to be demolished. Prisoners were relocated while the gutted shell was rebuilt.

In 2011 inmates were transferred from the old complex to the adjacent Mt Eden Corrections Facility, which is run on contract by private operator Serco New Zealand.

Image: Mt Eden Prison (Wikipedia)