29 July
Wellington Prison began the week by receiving its 100th prisoner on Monday.
Wellington Prison Manager Peter Dunn says that the prison has slowly been receiving prisoners since it reopened on July 6 and that the prison’s temporary closure has had no effect on its capability.
“The prison’s muster has slowly been growing since we reopened and now we’re close to our capacity,” he says.
“Improving public safety is our key task at all times and the public can be assured that while this prison is the grand age of 82 years old it still meets our security standards for housing prisoners.
“With our 120 beds available we have been able to gradually relieve some pressure off prisons with high populations and gradually fill Wellington.
“The slow influx of prisoners has allowed us to ensure that we have all the systems and procedures in place to operate effectively.
“It has been an easy process, my staff have slotted straight back in and everything is operating really smoothly. It’s like we never left.
“We are operating like all prisons around the country now – prisoners are involved in education, employment and rehabilitation. The normal routines of the prison have resumed very quickly.”
Wellington Prison has a number of Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE) industries that prisoners are actively involved in. These include the prison print shop and kitchen.
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