13 Jun 2010

Plans for new men's prison alongside women's

6:45 am on 13 June 2010

The Department of Corrections is proposing to build a new men's prison at Wiri, South Auckland, in order to meet a projected increase in the number of inmates in the upper North Island.

The 1500-bed prison will be built on land adjacent to the Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility.

Nearby residents fear, however, that the area will be known as the crime capital of New Zealand if construction goes ahead.

Corrections held an open day on Saturday to explain the expansion plans to the public. A briefing was also given on Tuesday night at a public meeting organised by the Manurewa Community Board.

A spokesperson for the proposal, John Boyle, says the choice of the site is based on Justice Ministry forecasting. Another 2270 prison beds are expected to be needed by 2019.

Mr Boyle says that no New Zealand region will have a greater need for prison beds, and that it's important to situate the facility close to community support for rehabilitation purposes.

Manukau City councillor Colleen Brown says people in south Auckland shouldn't be asked to accept another prison without compensation.

She says more money needs to be invested in community facilities, such as early childhood education.

The new prison, to be built, designed and operated under a public-private partnership, is due for completion in 2014.

The women's prison opened in 2006.