A Hawke's Bay prisoner on directed segregation stabbed a Corrections officer 12 times in the head and left them with multiple wounds after a "vicious" attack.
Acting prison director Leonie Aben said in a statement the man unleashed his attack when he was released for recreation on Wednesday.
"Staff were taking him a trolley to collect his property and he suddenly assaulted one staff member with an improvised weapon."
Aben said other staff immediately intervened and restrained the man. The prisoner has since been charged with misconduct through the Department of Corrections internal misconduct system.
The injured staff member received multiple wounds to their head and was taken to the hospital for medical treatment.
"They were discharged last night and are recovering at home. They are being offered ongoing support and will remain at home until they are ready to return to work."
The man was scheduled to be transferred to another prison site on Thursday, which Aben said has been successful.
Aben highlights that the environment in prisons can be "volatile", with many inmates having a long history of "antisocial behaviour".
"[They] can behave unpredictably and act without warning."
Corrections Association New Zealand president Floyd Du Plessis told Newshub the stabbing was "vicious" and "came out of nowhere".
Du Plessis said the weapon used was a "sharp metallic weapon" made by the prisoner.
He added the Corrections officer is doing well at home with family and is managing their injuries along with a concussion.
Du Plessis said the concern now is the mental trauma that follows an attack like this. He also highlighted the importance of supporting staff to move forward.
Social Justice Aotearoa, a lobby group that supports prisoners and Corrections officers, said the stabbing is a "disgrace".
CEO Jackie Foster said the stabbing lays "squarely at the feet of [Corrections] Minister Kelvin Davis".
"Because he has the power to implement solutions."
She said under Minister Davis, Aotearoa has seen two inmates murdered and "hundreds" of violent assaults and riots, "and now the staff [are] being put in threatening positions".
Minister Davis said in a statement that his thoughts are with the officer and that no assault is acceptable.
"Anyone who resorts to this type of behaviour is held to account."
Over 75 percent of Aotearoa's prison population have convictions for violence, with gang members being disproportionately identified as responsible for assaults in prison.
Minister Davis told Newshub that the rise in gang members in prison makes the "job tougher and more volatile for staff".
He added the safety of Corrections staff is his top priority, which he said has been made clear.
"That is why Corrections have jointly developed, along with unions, a Violence and Aggression plan to help reduce assaults."
Aben said assaults on staff are "unacceptable".
"Corrections officers come to work every day to keep New Zealanders safe," Aben said.
The director added police determine whether or not criminal charges will be laid concerning an assault.
A police spokesperson told Newshub "enquires into the incident remain ongoing".
Minister Davis pointed to the $200 million investment in frontline staff made in Budget 2022.
"This is part of an overall Budget package that will see 518 staff added to the Corrections workforce in the next four years to keep staff safe."
