12 May 2008
The Department of Corrections can confirm that a remand prisoner escaped from Mt Eden Prison early Monday morning.
The safety and security of the public is a priority for the Department. The prison's emergency plan has been activated and the police have been notified.
"Clearly the Department is extremely concerned at this breach of security and we will be launching an internal review into the incident," said Northern Regional Manager Warren Cummins.
"It appears that the prisoner has managed to make his way over the walls surrounding Mt Eden, and escape on foot.
"The rope that is dangling from one of the towers at the prison was used in the escape, and as it is now part of a crime scene will remain in place until we are notified by police that we may remove it."
Mr Cummins said that full details of the escape were not yet available and may not be able to be fully confirmed until the prisoner is recaptured and a review into the escape is complete.
The escape rate from New Zealand prisons has fallen by approximately 78 per cent in the last 10 years, despite an increasing prison muster.
ENDS
For further information email commdesk@corrections.govt.nz or phone (04) 460 3365 or (021) 761 828 a/h.
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