Christchurch Women's Prison

Christchurch Women's Prison is near Templeton on the western outskirts of Christchurch.

The prison suffered no major damage from the February 2011 earthquake and is operating as usual.

View Larger Map

Contact details

Phone:
(03) 345 6400

Postal address:
Private Bag 4702
Christchurch Mail Centre
Christchurch 8140

Physical address:
Newton Rd
Christchurch 8042

General information

Prisoner capacity: 138
Security classification: Minimum to high security women
Year established: 1974

Security

Christchurch Women's Prison is enclosed by a highly secure fence and the prison has surveillance equipment and lighting around the perimeter.

All visitors and staff must pass through one point of entry which has a scanner. Everyone may be searched by staff or a drug dog and their belongings or vehicles may be searched as well.

Inside the prison there are electronic security devices and cameras, closed circuit TV, video motion detectors, and cell phone jammers.

Reducing re-offending

Getting prisoners to live offence-free lives once released is a key part of Corrections work. To help achieve this all prisons run a range of programmes for offenders that fall into four broad categories:

• motivational programmes to get offenders to accept they need to change
• rehabilitation programmes to get offenders to understand and change their offending behaviour
• education and employment programmes
• reintegration programmes to give prisoners key life skills to live back in the community

More information about programmes run by Corrections.

Specialist units at Christchurch Women's Prison:

• Self Care Units
• Mothers with Babies Facilities

Prisoner-employment industries at Christchurch Women's Prison:

• Textiles
• Food preparation and catering
• Grounds maintenance and painting

Every prison has a range of industries run by Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE). These industries create work environments that match those in the community as closely as possible and give prisoners training and experience that will improve their chances of employment when released. Nearly half of offenders were not in paid work before going to prison and research has shown that prisoners who find work once released are less likely to re-offend.

 Christchurch Women's Prison fact sheet (PDF 39.4 KB)