3 Jun 2012

Attacked prison guard out of coma

6:12 am on 3 June 2012

The Corrections Department says there has been an improvement in the condition of a Rimutaka Prison officer who suffered serious head injuries in an attack at the prison.

The officer was attacked on Friday when he intervened to help an inmate who'd been set upon by a group of prisoners, the department said.

The officer has been in an induced coma in a Wellington hospital but the Corrections Department says he is now out of the coma.

He remains in a serious but stable condition.

Department chief executive Ray Smith says the officer acted courageously. Police are investigating the incident and charges are likely.

The inmate involved in the attack has been discharged from hospital and returned to prison.