The Ministry of Justice is being criticised over a faulty fire exit door at the Manukau District Court that has allowed a number of escapes.
It took police almost two weeks to recapture the most recent fugitives, in November last year.
The men distracted a security guard and a fault meant no alarm was sounded when they went through the exit.
A Corrections Department report, released under the Official Information Act, urges the Justice Ministry to consider moving the fire exit door.
It says a number of prisoners have escaped using the same method since the building was opened in 2000.
The ministry says the faulty alarm has been fixed but says the door won't be moved and cannot be locked because the court is a public building which is required to have fire exits.
