25 Dec 2024

Prison homebrew puts inmates on Santa's naughty list

7:08 pm on 25 December 2024
Exteriors of the new facility.

Waikeria Prison in Waikato. Photo: Finn Blackwell

A dozen inmates at Waikeria Prison in Waikato will be charged with misconduct, after being found to have consumed homebrew on Christmas Eve.

The prison's general manager Jim Watson said 10 prisoners have been placed in segregation, and another two have been moved to another prison.

He said the unit involved was temporarily locked down to deal with the incident, but there were no injuries to staff or prisoners.

Watson said the behaviour is unacceptable, and that they will continue to carry out regular searches.

Homebrew can be made using rotting fruit, water, sugar and a plastic bag.

Corrections said while they restrict the amount of fruit prisoners can purchase, some will go to great lengths to stockpile fruit for making home brew.

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