10 May 2007
The new Otago Corrections Facility in Milburn, South Otago will be officially opened by the Prime Minister today.
Corrections Chief Executive Barry Matthews says today’s opening of the 335-bed Otago Corrections Facility (OCF) is an important milestone for the Corrections Department.
"OCF is deliberately designed quite differently from traditional prisons. It incorporates design features that are intended to be the most effective in terms of safety, security and rehabilitation; and to provide a better environment for our work."
"Building this facility has been the equivalent of constructing a small town. The fact that the project has been delivered on time and is tracking to budget is a great achievement."
OCF has been one of Otago’s largest construction projects and one of the region’s largest employers.
"Many local contractors have been employed on the site, and we’ve had a great local response to our recruitment campaign for the new facility. Moving forward, OCF wants to be a good neighbour and a good employer for the region", says Mr Matthews.
Clutha District Mayor Juno Hayes says that the development of the prison has been a positive experience for the community.
"The project has brought a lot of economic benefits to the region, and we’re looking forward to working with OCF on an ongoing basis," he says.
The first prisoners will arrive on the site in June and OCF is planned to be operating at full capacity by the end of the year.
OCF is the third of four new corrections facilities to open. The Northland Region Corrections Facility has been operating successfully since March 2005. Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility opened in June 2006 and the Spring Hill Corrections Facility in North Waikato is under construction and is due to open later this year.
ENDS