The youth unit at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison will have to close for several months due to the damage from this week's protest.
Hawke's Bay Regional Prison. (File image) Photo: RNZ / Tom Kitchin
Six men - a 17-year-old, four 18-year-olds and one 19-year-old - climbed on to the unit's roof on Monday afternoon and were there for nearly 24 hours.
Detective sergeant Emmet Lynch said extensive damage to the unit meant it was now uninhabitable.
"The unit will be out of commission for some months and the value of damage is thought to be significant."
All the youth remain at the prison but have been put in other areas.
Ten mainstream prisoners were moved out yesterday to other prisons in the lower North Island, to free up space for the youth affected by the closure of the unit.
Police are still investigating the incident and have not ruled out laying charges over the damage.
*This story has been amended after police retracted an earlier statement which said the prisoners had been moved to other parts of the country.
