Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison currently has an operational capacity of 755. The two new units will bring this to 1,071 when they open in 2027. Photo: Google Maps
Corrections is scrambling to build more prisoner accommodation as inmate numbers hit record highs, and continue to climb.
And it admits building the extra beds will mean other work including asset maintenance and renewals - will have to go on hold.
The prisoner population has now surpassed 11,000 - including those on remand.
With planned expansions at Waikeria and Christchurch Men’s Prison not due to be finished until 2029, Corrections warned the Government it would face an acute shortage of beds by early next year if urgent action wasn't taken, and that more capacity was needed to prevent unacceptable risk and maintain safe operations.
Already a 500-bed shortfall exists for high-security inmates.
The shortfall will be plugged with two units currently being built at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison, due to be finished in early 2027. But Corrections says it doesn't plan to use them in the long-term.
Amanda Hill is a Wellington-based lawyer and frequently represents prisoners claiming for breaches of the Bill of Rights Act and Human Rights Act. And Floyd du Plessis is the president of the union representing Corrections officers - CANZ.
In a statement, Corrections Deputy Chief Executive Infrastructure & Digital Assets Alastair Turrell says safety is always their most important focus and "the decision to prioritise the funding and delivery of the Accelerated Capacity Project will not result in any compromises to the safety of our prisons and facilities".
"Nor will it have any impact on staffing levels or our ability to deliver rehabilitation programmes and services, which are funded separately.
" The capital costs for the project are being self-funded by Corrections using existing capital reserves. Until these reserves have built back up, Corrections will be limited in its ability to contribute to any other additional large-scale investments. "
