Container cellblock not used

Blenheim police considered holding prisoners in a converted shipping container after the Blenheim cellblock was deemed an earthquake risk.

The cellblock at Blenheim police station was vacated on July 9 after a seismic assessment revealed the 1993 addition above it to be ‘‘unsafe in an earthquake.’’

Rebuilding the affected part of the building took place from July, and the new cell block was opened on November 22.

‘‘The final remedial work on roofing and cladding areas was completed last week and is now back in working order,’’ a police spokesperson said.

Emails released under the Official Information Act, dated July 11, revealed that a ‘‘purposebuilt relocatable custody container facility’’ was scheduled to arrive in Picton.

Acting Tasman District Commander Inspector Gini Welch said in the email the 12-metre converted shipping container had two fully complete and compliant cells, ‘‘including an institutional WC pan and bed in each cell’’.

An email sent the following day (July 12) from Marlborough Area Commander Simon Feltham outlined the ‘‘minimum’’ requirements needed at any site used as a temporary ‘‘custody hub’’. These requirements were at least four cells, a holding cell, processing area, watch house area, staff toilet and kitchenette, front counter and security fencing.

‘‘There is no issue with these being provided via containers or portable buildings,’’ the email read.

A police media spokesperson confirmed this week a two-cell custody container arrived in Marlborough in July, but was never used. It was located at the rear of the Picton Police Station. Police would not say why the container was never used.

Other sites considered for the custody hub were in Blenheim ‘‘at or near the current station/ Rangita¯ ne House (car parks to the rear of either property)’’ or Renwick Police Station, according to an email dated July 12.

Both Feltham and Welch declined to comment.

The police spokesperson said prisoners were held in both Picton and Nelson while the works were completed at Blenheim.

In the first 17 days after the seismic assessment, at least 30 people were arrested and 11 – offenders who were not bailed – were transported to Nelson. During the time the work was completed, about 35 police staff from the Investigations and Prevention work groups shifted to Rangita¯ ne House.