Discovery of home brew led to jail riot

Spring Hill prison inmates were drunk on home brew as they caused $10 million worth of damage, the Department of Corrections has confirmed.

A summary of its inquiry into the June 1 riot last year reveals that the riot – the worst in New Zealand in 15 years – began after prison staff discovered the home brew in a prisoner’s cell.

The staff were assaulted before they were forced to evacuate due to the prisoners’ attack getting out of hand ‘‘attacking the staff base with considerable force’’.

By noon, up to 27 prisoners were out of control, damaging and burning property.

Corrections chief executive Ray Smith said 23 prisoners were charged with 41 offences.

Eight have pleaded guilty, and one was discharged. Four of the eight who pleaded guilty have been sentenced, with jail terms ranging up to five years and eight months.

As 14 prisoners were before the court, the whole report into the riot would not be released until they were dealt with, Smith said.

However, he confirmed the final cost to Corrections for rebuilding – with security and safety enhancements – was about $10m.

The inquiry had concluded there were two key triggers of the riot: ‘‘the availability and consumption of ‘home brew’ by prisoners and fighting between prisoners which led to staff being assaulted’’, Smith said.

The prisoners’ access to ingredients to make the home brew – fruit, sugar, water and hand sanitiser – would be reduced, Smith said.