Prison killing suspects 'not going far'

Police are questioning about a dozen inmates over the killing of a prisoner at the country's top security jail.

Tue Faavae, 23, was found dead in a cell block at Auckland Prison at Paremoremo about 11am on Sunday. He was serving a sentence for aggravated robbery.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kim Libby, from North Shore police, said today about 12 inmates were in the cell block area when Faavae was beaten to death.

He said the suspects and witnesses were "all in custody so they are not going anywhere".

"We are going to get there. It is just a matter of working through," Mr Libby said

He would not go into details about the bashing but said a weapon was not believed to have been used.

"It's the result of a physical attack," he said.

"It's pretty clear how it was done."

Two police specialist search teams searched cells at the prison today in the hunt for clues.

"We're looking for any items of interest or other information that will help us identify the person or persons responsible for the killing," Mr Libby said.

"There's numerous personal items held in the cells and we'll be rummaging for any clues."

Faavai's brother Niko said he and his family were still trying to deal with the death and wanted answers from the Corrections Department.

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