New Prisons Planned for New Zealand

Four new regional corrections facilities are currently planned for New Zealand.  The facilities will add to the country’s network of 18 prisons, presently capable of housing up to 6,400 inmates.  Chief Financial Officer Richard Morris says a key goal of the facilities is to keep offenders close to their support networks.

 
“We know that it benefits inmates to be near their family and community support.  This in turn improves their chances of leading a crime-free life and successfully returning to the community.”

Mr Morris says the prisons are needed for several reasons, including the forecasted increase in the prison population. 

 
“The regional facilities will be among the most modern in Australasia.  They’ll be far more conducive to inmate rehabilitation.”

 
The new prisons will boast the latest design features and take cultural needs into account.  Their design will complement the focus on self-responsibility and decision-making for inmates.  Each will contain all the buildings and equipment needed to provide programmes and employment training.  The prisons will accommodate all security level inmates, from high to low security classification (but not maximum security offenders), and remand inmates.

“The facilities will ensure a very low risk of security breaches such as escapes, because of the modern security features they will use, in tandem with management practices,” says Mr Morris.  In particular, the emphasis will be on a highly secure perimeter but permit high levels of interaction
within the facility.

Over the past few years the Department involved local communities and other interested people in a comprehensive search for suitable prison sites.   The four prisons are at different stages of development.  In Northland, near Ngawha, a 350-bed men’s prison is now under construction and expected to open in February 2005.  Last year the Department successfully negotiated the Environment Court hearing and subsequent High Court Appeal regarding this facility.  The outcome of the legal challenges cemented the certainty of a prison at the chosen site.

 
In Manukau City, Auckland, the case for a 150-bed women’s prison in Manukau was heard by commissioners appointed by the local council, as part of the resource management planning approval process.  The Corrections Minister will confirm or decline the recommendations from the Council.  Those who made submissions in the earlier stages of the planning approval process may decide to appeal the Minister’s decision to the Environment Court.  This facility is expected to open in early 2006.

 
Likewise in the Waikato, the submissions in support of, or against, planning approval for the Spring Hill Men’s Corrections Facility are being heard by commissioners appointed by the regional and district council.  This facility intends to cater for up to 650 inmates and is scheduled to open in 2007.   

 
In the South Island, a 330-bed men’s corrections facility is needed for inmates from the Otago region.  The Department is preparing to lodge documents seeking planning approval for the proposed prison with the local council in June.  Dependant on planning approvals this facility is expected to open in 2008.