Gaps in security camera coverage, poor rub-down searches, access to contraband and the influence of gangs have all been identified as problems at Manawatū Prison by independent inspectors.
Photo: 123rf
But Corrections said it was taking steps to address those shortcomings, as part of a $15 million refurbishment of the prison.
Corrections has published the inspection reports for both Manawatū and Auckland prisons.
Both inspections took place in the first half of 2017.
At Manawatū Prison, inspectors found that the prison "did not adequately provide for the safety and security of prisoners and others".
"Within the prison we found gaps in surveillance camera coverage, and the prison did not always compensate with adequate physical supervision. Searches of prisoners were not always thorough," the report said.
"Prisoners told us what areas they thought were unmonitored, and that sometimes fights took place in those areas. Gangs appeared to have considerable influence on the prison's culture."
Standover tactics were "fairly common" and resulted in some prisoners getting others' food, clothing, medication and other property, the report said.
Prisoners were also found to have access to cellphones, cigarettes, illicit drugs, and other contraband.
Staff and other visitors did not always have their property searched or their bodies scanned with hand-held metal detectors.
Following their visit, the inspectors said the prison developed a comprehensive plan to address the problems and significant progress had been made.
In a statement, Corrections said there had been a rapid increase in the number of prisoners at Manawatū Prison.
The prison was originally set up to house 48 remand prisoners, but at the moment there were more than 120 on site, chief custodial office Neil Beales said.
The two-year refurbishment project would deal with concerns about there being multiple entry points to the prison, one block would be completely refurbished and there would be a new audio visual suite to facilitate court appearances.
'Soggy and unappetising' sandwiches served for lunch
Meanwhile, the inspection report for Auckland Prison revealed issues with prisoners' food, run-down and unclean facilities, and problems with pillows and mattresses.
"Problems with moisture and poor ventilation were common, and prisoners complained of cells being too hot in summer and too cold in winter," the report said.
"Conditions in East Division were generally unclean, with food scraps and other rubbish dumped in walkways and graffiti visible in some areas."
Pillows and mattresses were often dirty and in poor condition. Some prisoners said their food was unhealthy and complained that the mince they were served as "extremely fatty, gritty and tasteless".
Concerns were also raised with "soggy and unappetising" sandwiches that were served for lunch.
Prisoners also said there was a lack of healthy food options at the canteen and they were limited to buying biscuits, noodles, confectionery and chips.
Even though the inspection took place not long after an incident where a guard was stabbed, the inspectors did not find that violence was endemic within the prison.
"On the contrary, prisoner-staff relationships were generally positive and prisoners told us that violence was not common and tended to be isolated to younger gang members," the report said.
Inspectors also found that prison searches were not always carried out with sufficient thoroughness to find weapons and other unauthorised items.
Auckland Prison at Paremoremo is New Zealand's only maximum security prison.
The prison was being rebuilt, with the new $300m facility nearing completion, Corrections said.
That would deal with some of the safety and security concerns raised.
Action was also being taken to address other issues highlighted in the inspection report.