Protesters have scaled the roof of Alice Springs prison

A RIOT at Alice Springs prison has broken out, led by a dangerous murderer who’s taken inmates onto the roof.

Prison officers have reportedly lost control of part of Alice Springs Correctional Centre.

A RIOT has broken out in the Alice Springs Correctional Centre and is allegedly being led by notorious murderer and former Serco guard Matej Vanko.

It’s understood officers have lost control of G Block and eight prisoners are on the roof.

Sources say the prisoners on the roof have assaulted other prisoners in the disturbance but no guards have been harmed, reports the NT News.

The disturbance comes just hours after the Northern Territory Department of Correctional Services was forced to respond after footage emerged of children in youth detention being hooded, shackled and tear gassed.

John Elferink, the Justice Minister, was sacked on Tuesday with Chief Minister Adam Giles taking direct control of the Territory’s jails.

Just yesterday the NT News reported prison guards were warning a riot was imminent if a staff shortage wasn’t addressed.

A spokesman for the Department said police negotiators had been asked to assist with getting the prisoners off the roof.

“There are no weapons involved and w have no reports of injuries,” the spokesman said.

A spokesman for NT Police said things were being dealt with by the Department of Correctional Services and that thing were quite “calm” at the moment.

“In situations such as this NT Police stand ready to provide trained police negotiators,” the spokesman said.

Matej 'Matt' Vanko is allegedly leading a protest at Alice Springs prison.

In March last year the NT News reported that murderer Matej Vanko — described as cold, calculated and callous when he was sentenced to life in 2012 was moved to Alice Springs jail after the brutal bashing of another inmate at Darwin Correctional Centre.

Vanko used a Japanese ceremonial knife in the 2012 execution-style slaying of Donald Stevens at Howard Springs.

After killing Mr Stevens, Vanko shot and stabbed his blue heeler and maltese terrier, before waiting for Mr Stevens’ sister Nolene to return home.

Vanko held Ms Stevens hostage for several hours after tying her legs and handcuffing her wrists.

During the case Crown prosector David Morters compared Vanko to other high-profile Territory prisoners, including Bradley Murdoch.

The court heard Vanko had a “poisonous” professional relationship with Ms Stevens, who was his supervisor with Serco at the Darwin immigration detention centre.

The NT News understands that Vanko “smashed both eye sockets” of another inmate at Darwin prison because he believed he was a police informant.

Former Correctional Services Commissioner Ken Middlebrook said Vanko had been moved from Darwin to Alice Springs for the “good order and security” of the prison.

Originally published as Protesters have scaled the roof of Alice Springs prison