Source: New Zealand Government
Funding through Budget 2025 will deliver 240 new high security beds at Christchurch Men’s Prison, along with a new Health Centre and Intervention and Support Unit containing 52 beds, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell announced today at the Investment Summit in Auckland.
“Our government is committed to restoring law and order and ensuring there are consequences for crime, and because of that we’ve seen the prison population nearing its March 2018 peak,” Mr Mitchell says.
“We’re investing in our prisons to meet the growing demand for capacity, keep frontline staff, prisoners and the public safe, and provide the best possible environment to rehabilitate prisoners to reduce the risk of reoffending.
“We are also well aware that big infrastructure projects like this create jobs for ordinary Kiwis and that is why we are keen to see this project up and running as quickly as possible,” says Mr Mitchell.
Cabinet has agreed to provide funding for Phase 1 of Corrections’ Christchurch Men’s Prison Redevelopment Programme. The indicative capital cost for construction of the facilities in Phase 1 of this redevelopment is approximately $700-$800 million.
Phase 1 of the redevelopment will be designed, built, financed, and maintained for a period of 25 years under a Public Private Partnership (PPP), with Corrections retaining responsibility for operations and custodial management of the facility.
“Delivery of this work as a PPP supports the Government’s Going for Growth programme by promoting infrastructure investment in New Zealand.
“This investment will help ensure we have enough fit-for-purpose beds to manage high security prisoners, and that Corrections has sufficient capacity to meet the growing prison population.
“The new Intervention and Support Unit will provide dedicated, specialist mental health support to prisoners who are at risk of harming themselves or others. This unit will be safer for staff, giving them the facilities they need to do their jobs well, and will be a much better environment for the prisoners being treated there,” Mr Mitchell says.
“A significant number of prisoners experience mental health issues, which can be extremely challenging for both them and our frontline staff.
“The new Health Centre will deliver a range of healthcare services to the men in prison. In addition to nurses and general practitioners, the new facility will host a range of other health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, physiotherapists, optometrists and dentists.
“Helping prisoners address their mental health and health care needs is essential to ensuring they can go on to take part in other rehabilitation programmes and treatment.
“The staff at Christchurch Men’s Prison work incredibly hard to manage some of this country’s most dangerous people and keep New Zealanders safe. We are committed to ensuring they have safe, modern facilities to work in and an environment where they can deliver effective rehabilitation, mental health and health services,” Mr Mitchell says.
