3 June

The much talked about container cell unit at Rimutaka Prison was officially opened today along with the new gatehouse and visitor centre facilities for the site.

“Today marks the new phase at Rimutaka Prison and contributes to the Department’s goal of improving public safety,” says Corrections Chief Executive Barry Matthews.

“Unit 11 is the first prison unit in the country to be constructed from refurbished shipping containers. Construction of this unit has been considerably faster and cheaper than a comparable, traditionally constructed unit and goes some way to addressing the forecasted increase needed for prison capacity.

“The unit will house up to 60 low-medium security prisoners in a mix of double and single bunked cells. While the cells are basic and contain the bare necessities they are comparable in size to other cells in prisons around the country.”

The remaining parts of the unit including staff facilities, a control room and dining spaces as well as two ablution blocks also built from high grade ex-shipping containers that were fully inspected to ensure they met the standards and conditions required.

“However, Unit 11 isn’t the only new facility to be constructed recently at Rimutaka. As part of the Department enhancing capability at the site we need fit for purpose facilities that allow our staff to do their job as effectively as possible.

“The new gatehouse, visits centre and other facilities housed in those buildings better reflect the needs of a site the size of Rimutaka. They also give our custodial staff the necessary tools to further maintain the safety and security of the prison.

“All people entering the site, including staff, visitors and outside contractors are now subject to higher levels of scrutiny. All personal belongings are passed through the x-ray scanner, similar to those used at airports, and all people must pass through a metal detector giving a higher level of contraband detection.”

The visitor centre will also allow staff to monitor all visits easily and efficiently both in person and via security cameras. If staff observe any suspicious activity they will be able to move more effectively to shut it down.

Notes to editor:

Prisoners will start to be housed in Unit 11 from 10 June.

Twenty-three containers make up the 60 bed unit and increases Rimutaka’s capacity to 1,002 male prisoners

Similar types of accommodation are successfully used in overseas jurisdictions including Australia, Britain and the USA.

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