A worker at Christchurch Men’s Prison in Templeton has been attacked by a prisoner on Tuesday morning.

A police spokesperson confirmed to chrislynchmedia.com police received reports of the assault at 9am.

One person sustained injuries understood to be not life threatening.

Police attended and arrested a 38-year-old-man, who was due to appear in Christchurch District Court today.

The man was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and threatening to kill.

Chris Lynch Media understands the worker, who was not a Corrections Officer, was attacked by a prisoner using a chair.

Corrections Communities, Partnerships and Pathways Director David Roberts said in a statement to chrislynchmedia.com “our staff come to work every day to keep our communities safe and any violence towards them is completely unacceptable. Anyone who resorts to this behaviour will be held to account.”

He said “an offender assaulted a staff member at the Matawhāiti Residence at Christchurch Men’s Prison today.

“I would like to acknowledge the Corrections staff who intervened and handcuffed the offender and provided first aid to their colleague.”

Roberts said the injured staff member was taken to hospital for treatment.

“While we are limited in the information we can provide due to our legislative obligations to protect their privacy, we understand their condition is not life threatening.”

Roberts said “we acknowledge this is a distressing incident for the victim and their family, as well as our staff who responded, and are offering them all our full support.

“Matawhāiti is on the grounds of Christchurch Men’s Prison and accommodates a small number of individuals subject to a Public Protection Order PPO. The residence is separate from the main prison but within a secure perimeter.”

Roberts said “working with offenders, especially those living at Matawhāiti, can be an extremely difficult and volatile job.

“Corrections staff work with some of New Zealand’s most challenging people and do exceptional and brave work in often very difficult circumstances, and we are constantly working to provide the safest environment possible for staff. A review into this incident will be carried out.”

A St John spokesman said they were notified of “an incident at Christchurch Men’s Prison in Templeton. One ambulance responded.

“One patient, in moderate condition, has been transported to Christchurch Hospital.”