There's upset at a mass transfer of high security prisoners from Christchurch Men's Prison to Otago Corrections Facility

Corrections says it's about shifting inmates to facilities closer to their security level, and closing two ageing units in Christchurch.

But high Security prisoners have staged a number of protests over the move.

People Against Prisons Aotearoa spokeswoman Emilie Rakete says moving prisoners away from their families is detrimental and would violate a section of the Corrections Act requiring the preservation of family relationships.

Corrections says it's working with prisoners to find out their concerns, and plans to start moving them last week were put on hold.