Prison upgrade takes shape

JASON OXENHAM

PRISON PROGRESS: Project director Campbell Twist says the Mt Eden Prison redevelopment is on track.

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The redevelopment of Mt Eden Prison is taking shape, with several new buildings now up.

Since construction began in late 2008, the site has changed dramatically, with several old buildings demolished and a new carpark building constructed.

Work is also well under way on two new accommodation blocks, one of which can now be seen from the neighbouring motorway.

Project director Campbell Twist says construction of the development's first stage is on track to be finished by March 31, 2011 with a goal of having it operational by the middle of next year.

There will have to be a lot of operational testing done on the new buildings and training for staff before they can be fully used, and there will be a transition strategy for moving people and equipment over from the old buildings to the new, he says.

"It was a long time in the lead-up to when the budget decisions were made in 2008 to where it is now. There's been a lot of work done."

In 2008, former corrections minister Phil Goff announced a capital investment of $216.3 million and operating expenditure of $35.6m over the next four years for the redevelopment.

The Corrections Department will contribute the remaining $106m in capital and $22m in operating funds.

There are two more proposed development stages, but they have yet to get funding.

Assistant regional manager Grace Smit says much of the proposed future development will depend on the number of prisoners needing beds.

A decision has yet to be made on what will be done with the heritage part of the building, despite suggestions of it being turned into a museum or a regional management centre, Ms Smit says.

The two accommodation blocks under construction will replace existing cells in the old prison and will eliminate previous problems caused by Mt Eden's cold, damp cell conditions.

Secure corridors will be built between buildings so prisoners will not have to go outside while being moved from one building to another.

A new gatehouse is also being built that will become a single point of entry for the site, which will include both Mt Eden Prison and the neighbouring Auckland Central Remand Prison.

Ms Smit says the goal is to create one site rather than having the two separate prisons and it's likely a new name will be needed for the combined site.

- © Fairfax NZ News