Whanganui Prison

Whanganui prison is located east of Whanganui, near Kaitoke.

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Contact details

Phone:
(06) 349 6800

Postal Address:
Private Bag 3000
Whanganui Mail Centre
Whanganui 4540

Physical address:
Pauri Rd
Whanganui

General information

Prisoner capacity: 538
Security classification: Minimum to high security male prisoners
Staff numbers: 252
Year established: 1978

Security

Whanganui Prison is enclosed by a highly secure fence topped with razor wire and the prison has surveillance equipment and lighting around the perimeter.

The prison only has one point of entry which all visitors and staff must pass through. Everyone must go through a metal detector and may be searched by staff or a drug dog. 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, microwave sensors 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
• reintegration programmes to give prisoners key life skills to live back in the community

More information on the programmes run by Corrections.

Specialist units at Whanganui Prison

• Maori Focus Unit
• Self Care Units

Prisoner-employment industries at Whanganui Prison

• pre-cast concrete
• timber joinery workshop
• timber processing
• an automotive workshop
• plant nursery
• food preparation and catering
• laundry
• grounds maintenance

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.

More information about prisoner employment

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