Sixty Otago residents paid $150 each for the privilege of being locked up for a night in the new 335-bed Otago Corrections Facility in May.
Public Prisons Service Southern Regional Manager Paul Monk says the “Prison Experience” charity event, which was a first for a New Zealand prison, was organised with the local community and a group called Milton Area Promotions. The money raised went to the town of Milton for improvements and development in the area.
“We had 180 ‘prisoners’ on site, 60 of whom stayed the night. They were treated as any prisoners entering the site; they were checked by a drug dog, formally inducted into the prison, issued with prison ID and allocated a cell,” says Paul.
“This was followed by some form of constructive activity before being served a typical prison meal. The ones who were staying over then spent a night in their cell, and had a prison breakfast prior to release,” says Paul.
Clutha Mayor Juno Hayes, who was one of the “prisoners” for the night, says the experience was “enlightening”.
“Everyone’s got their own preconceived ideas of what the prison’s like inside, so this was a brilliant chance for us to experience the reality.
“When the cell door locked behind me I just kept reminding myself it was like a very small, plain backpacker’s room.
“The floor was barely warm, so all those people jumping up and down about underfloor heating need to go and stand on it to realise it’s not about luxury, but about the safest and most economical form of heating for the situation.”
Juno says the food, which was the same savoury mince, potatoes and pumpkin as that eaten by the other 8000 prisoners around the country, wasn’t bad.
“But you wouldn’t grow too fat on it,” he adds.
A taste of prison life raised money for charity and gave
local people insight into the new Otago Corrections Facility.
Paul says Corrections welcomed the opportunity to show the public first-hand how it operates its prisons.
“The Department’s role is not well understood in the wider NZ community. Events such as this help to increase public awareness and understanding of the work we do and the difficult environment in which we operate.”
“We’re also very pleased to be able to support the local community through this event, and contribute to the development of the town of Milton. We want to be a good neighbour, and this is one way we can thank the community for their support.”
Paul says the event was also part of the testing and validating of the prison’s systems prior to receipt of the first prisoners in early June.
“Public protection is our absolute priority. Building a facility of this size is like building a small town and it is essential that we ensure that everything is in perfect working order.”
Prison Manager Jack Harrison, who has already shown over 2000 visitors around the prison, says from an operational point of view everything went smoothly.
“It was a good chance to test our procedures. Of course, the ‘prisoners’ were more well-behaved than usual and the atmosphere was very positive. Facility-wise, we discovered a couple of faulty showers, but that was it.”
“Most of our visitors comment on the professionalism and dedication of staff. The staff here can really hold their heads up high,” he says.
Jack says the first real prisoners have now arrived.
“They’re settling in well, going about their jobs – they’re mostly involved in cooking, laundry and unit-based work such as cleaning.”
Otago Corrections Facility will have filled its 335 beds by the end of the year.
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