Corrections Minister Judith Collins says Serco handled incidents of drunkenness and a hunger strike at Wiri Prison exactly as Corrections would have.

A wing of Wiri Prison's been in lockdown after inmates, allegedly drunk on homebrew, attacked prison guards at the weekend.

MORE: 'Drunk' prisoners attacked guards at Wiri prison, wing in lockdown

She admits inmates have a bit of time on their hands.

Minister Collins told Mike Hosking inmates are resourceful with their time and as criminals, have a tendency to use it for dubious activities.

"Look, any group of people stuck together for a long time who are thinking about some of the things they'd like to be able to do, you lknow they're not there because they're rule-keepers are they."

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