The Government says legislation to allow the private sector to run prisons will be introduced to Parliament on Monday.
The National Party's election policy was to allow prisons to be managed privately on a case-by-case basis.
Corrections Minister Judith Collins says steps are being taken to enable private companies to tender for prison management contracts.
She says the Government wants to have the option available.
However, she says it expects the majority of prisons will still be run by the Department of Corrections.
