Several prisoners have climbed onto the roof of Hawke's Bay Regional Prison.
(File image) Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Six prisoners climbed to the roof of the youth unit building about 2.30pm today.
Lower North Regional Commissioner Liz Hawthorn said staff responded immediately to contain the incident and were talking to the prisoners.
Experts in restraining prisoners have been brought in to help deal with the standoff.
Hawthorn said staff have been negotiating with the inmates throughout the evening, including advanced control and restraint and prison negotiation teams.
She said the young people were located within the youth unit's perimeter, so there was no threat to the rest of the prison or the public.
All other prisoners in the Youth Unit had been safely secured, Hawthorn said.