A team led by Fletcher Construction is preparing the site for construction work to begin in October 2008.
It is expected to take a little more than two years to build the new facility which when completed will boast the latest prison design, operational and sustainability features now seen in modern Corrections systems.
In contrast, it took more than 40 years of mostly prison labour to build the current prison using locally quarried stone.
Once prisoners are moved out of the current cells in 2011, renovation and refurbishment of the heritage-rated Mt Eden Prison building for staff and administration use will begin.
Prison Services Northern Regional Manager Warren Cummins says the prison's age and deteriorating condition has made it a particularly difficult place for prisoners and staff to live and work.
"The prison's design was considered outdated from the start. Calls were made to close the prison even as it was being built," says Warren.
"Having work begin on the replacement project is a significant step in the history of our Corrections system."
A symbolic 'turning of the soil' ceremony was provided by the Iwi Whanui o Tamaki Makaurau committee on 9 July 2008.
"We need to work closely with Māori in the community to reduce the disproportionate number of Māori in prison." says Neil Campbell, Northern Region Treaty Relationships Partnership Manager.
"The new facility will have a cultural centre where iwi can meet with offenders and their families to assist the reintegration process. There will also be space available for culturally-based rehabilitation programmes."
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