24 May 2011

Local board formally objects to Wiri prison

4:20 pm on 24 May 2011

The Manurewa Local Board has formally aired its opposition to a proposed new men's prison in Wiri.

The proposed 1000-bed men's prison would be the first built as a public-private partnership.

The area already has a women's prison and youth complex.

Board chairperson Daniel Newman told an inquiry held by the Environmental Protection Authority on Tuesday that the immediate community has different needs to those being proposed with the jail.

Mr Newman says if the prison was built, families will move in with high needs, but there would be no resources to cope with the influx and volunteers are already stretched.

He says Manurewa is already pulling its weight and a new prison will have a big impact.

A lawyer for the board and the Auckland Council told the inquiry that the Department of Corrections has not provided enough evidence for the prison.