The Corrections Department says it will review an incident at Tongariro/Rangipo Prison on Friday in which inmates climbed onto the prison's roof.
The high profile prisoner Arthur Taylor says the inmates were protesting against the prison smoking ban.
Department regional commissioner Terry Buffery says five prisoners climbed onto the roof at Tongariro/Rangipo Prison on Friday night, but the situation was resolved without injury to staff or inmates.
He says there was no chance of the prisoners escaping or any threat to public safety at any time.
Radio New Zealand was contacted about the incident by someone acting on behalf of inmate Arthur Taylor, who fought the prison smoking ban through the high court.
Taylor says 11 prisoners were involved and were reacting to what he described as inhumane treatment and the smoking ban.
He says the prisoners have been transferred to Auckland prison.
