Auckland Central Remand Prison says an officer has foiled a remand prisoner's plan to escape.
The man is waiting to be sentenced for previously conspiring to escape custody.
Assistant regional manager Grace Smit says a prison officer intercepted information suggesting the prisoner was going to pretend to be unwell, in order to get an escort to hospital on Tuesday evening.
Gang associates were supposed to be waiting at the hospital to help him.
The prisoner has now been moved to maximum security at Auckland Prison because of the risk he poses.
