The next step in the replacement of Mt Eden Prison has taken place with Minister of Corrections, the honourable Phil Goff, announcing Government approval of funding for the project.
A prison has existed on the Mt Eden site since 1856 and the Department of Corrections revealed plans to upgrade the facility in 2007 to bring it up to modern prison standards.
Work is due to start on the site in June 2008 and the project will include creating:
The new accommodation buildings are scheduled to be fully operational in 2011, with the conversion of the Mt Eden Prison building for staff and administration use complete by 2013.
The total number of permanent beds at the site will remain at 720 but the new facility will have the ability to accomodate up to 570 more prisoners if required. When the prison replacement is complete the site will be largely dedicated to housing remand prisoners.
Mt Eden Prison and the Auckland Central Remand Prison will continue to operate during the construction period and the renovation of the historically significant Mt Eden Prison building will retain as many of its heritage features as possible.
The new buildings have been carefully designed to improve the appearance of the site and its fit with the surrounding environment. The buildings will resemble commercial office buildings with appropriate building materials, exterior finishes and colours.
The two tallest buildings will be eight stories high, which although taller than most surrounding buildings, they will not be out of place with the site's environment. These buildings will be located to minimise their impact on site neighbours and on views of Mount Eden itself and the historic prison.