18 May 2007
The Department of Corrections today said it was working closely with the New Zealand Police and the Ministry of Justice to manage record prison numbers.
Public Prisons Service Acting General Manager Paul Monk says prisoner numbers have climbed significantly since 2004 and this week had reached a record level of 8,076.
"We are confident that the justice sector has sufficient capacity to hold prisoners in the short to medium term," says Mr Monk.
Mr Monk thanked the Police, frontline Corrections staff and unions for their cooperation and understanding and says Corrections is committed to working with other justice sector organisations to ensure there is sufficient beds in the prison system.
"I need to emphasise that public safety is our paramount concern and any options that could put public safety at risk will not be considered," says Mr Monk.
"Corrections has a Memorandum of Understanding with the New Zealand Police to assist Corrections accommodate prisoners during peaks in the muster. As of Friday morning there were 151 prisoners in police cells around the country."
"Over recent years Corrections has built and commissioned the 350-bed Northland Region Corrections Facility and the 286-bed Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility, which are now operating at full capacity. Furthermore, the 335-bed Otago Corrections Facility recently opened. The first 50 prisoners will arrive in the first week of June. The 650-bed Spring Hill Correction Facility is due for completion by the end of the year."
In addition, over the last three years a further 773 beds and associated infrastructure have been approved for construction at Rimutaka, Tongaririo/Rangipo, Wanganui and Christchurch Prisons.
ENDS