Almost two years on from the fiery six-day riot at Waikeria Prison, the first of 17 inmates charged has pleaded guilty in the Hamilton High Court today.
The prison was gutted by a series of large fires in December 2020, causing more than $45 million worth of damage.
Matangirau Cuff, 24, pleaded guilty to three charges:
- Being a member of a riot, unlawfully damaged property
- Intentionally or recklessly damaged property by fire when he knew or likely should have known it would endanger life
- Assaulting various individuals and used various objects as weapons
To each of those charges, he responded guilty, guilty, guilty.
Despite his defence lawyer arguing for him to continue rehabilitation while on bail, Justice Harland remanded him in custody. A sentencing date is yet to be set.
Newshub spoke to Matangirau Cuff before his hearing today about poor treatment at Waikeria Prison and the conditions at the top jail, which he says are the reason why the group was protesting.
He also spoke about his regrets, and what really happened on that prison roof.
Prisoners began their riot on December 29 over what they claimed were inhumane conditions and a lack of access to basic necessities.
A report in 2020 following a surprise visit from the Ombudsman found issues with clothing and bedding, ventilation and sanitation in cells, poor access to cleaning supplies, and the general size and state of the cells.
A Justice Select Committee in February last year heard that family members of the rioters complained about conditions at the prison before the riot, but they were dismissed.
In a statement issued through People Against Prisons Aotearoa, whānau members said they tried "many times" to make complaints to the prison and the Department of Corrections and were "dismissed every time".
They claimed the jail was "unfit for humans to live in", and that the jail was "unhygienic and conditions inside were disgusting" and that Corrections forced them to endure it.
Corrections chief Jeremy Lightfoot told the committee he disputed those claims.
"Having been directly involved throughout those six days, I would say they weren't particularly clear," he said of the prisoners' demands.
"Throughout the six days they changed, and it was clear to me that the activity was spontaneous and was something that was generated out of in-the-moment frustration, rather than anything that we had a heads up or intelligence around.
You can see the full story tonight on Newshub Live at 6.
