Building a new prison on a working site is always going to be a complex job. Building on a small central city site around the daily operations of two of our busiest prisons makes the replacement of Mt Eden Prison particularly challenging.
The Mt Eden/Auckland Central Remand Prison (ACRP) Redevelopment Project is the first of its kind in New Zealand. Never before has Corrections replaced an entire prison – including new accommodation buildings, gatehouse, multi-level car park building and prisoner support building – on the same site as two operating facilities.
Meticulous planning, the co-operation of staff, visitors and the community, and some unusual approaches to site works have been called for. The craning in of a digger over the historic prison wall was a unique sight.
The main construction work for the project started in October 2008 following three months of demolition and site preparation work.
Prison Services Assistant Regional Manager Grace Smit says staff have been fantastic in accepting the numerous changes to their routines and environment.
“Our main concern is always safety and security. This is particularly challenging to maintain when you’re in the middle of a construction site.”
Grace says a construction management plan is in place to minimise effects on prison staff and the local community. The plan ensures there are procedures to control traffic, hours of work and construction effects. It also focuses on tool and machinery security on site and security checking of contractors.
The project team keeps staff, prisoners and visitors updated on key stages and events. Information and opportunities for questions and feedback are also given to those living or working near the site.
For their part, the Fletcher Construction team have found working inside the prison a unique experience. Site Construction Manager Andrew Rolfe says none of his team are likely to forget they’re inside prison walls.
“We’ve worked on secure sites before, but nothing like this. Being surrounded by high fences, security gates and prison buildings, and having a corrections officer assigned to our work area, constantly reminds us where we are.”
Andrew likens the experience to serving a ‘nine-to-five’ sentence.
“We know we need to follow the strict security rules while we’re here. But we also know that at the end of each day we can walk off the site and go home. Working on this project has made us more aware of the realities of being in prison.”
Once the redevelopment is completed, Mt Eden Prison and ACRP will become one integrated prison with one management structure and one set of operating practices.
“The new prison will have enhanced security with a single point of entry that better protects staff and the public,” says Grace.
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ISSN 1178-8453