Minister rules out new mega-prison

Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis has confirmed the Government will not build a ‘‘mega-prison’’ at Waikeria but the decision on what to do instead is still pending.

The previous National Government had planned to spend roughly $1 billion on expanding Waikeria Prison, south of Hamilton, to potentially house up to 3000 inmates – making it the largest prison in the country.

It currently houses about 650 prisoners.

The new Government had been putting off the decision on whether to go ahead with that plan as many Labour MPs want to reduce prison numbers. There has been a strong indication that the plan would be changed significantly for several months.

But Ma¯ ori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta told TVNZ’s Marae show yesterday morning the Government was ‘‘not going to be throwing $1b at Waikeria Prison’’.

Asked for further comment, Davis said the wider decision was still pending but confirmed the ‘‘mega-prison’’ plans would not go ahead.

However, he left the option open to expand the prison more moderately. ‘‘We are looking at all the options to deal with the rising prison population and our current capacity crisis.

‘‘I can confirm we will not be building a mega prison with 2500 beds ... but that decision alone does not deal with the challenges I have mentioned. And we will take action but it will be considered and not reactive.’’

Davis said he would be taking his time to make the right decision, looking at ‘‘all the options across the board’’.

In last week’s Budget, the Government announced 600 new prison beds to be built in modular units.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson said on Twitter it had been clear the Government had not favoured the mega-prison for some time but Cabinet had yet to make a final decision.

As recently as Friday, the union representing prison workers was calling on the Government to make a decision soon.

‘‘All prison staff, including community Corrections [Department] staff working in prisons, are under constant pressure, because prisons are so overcrowded they can’t do the rehabilitation work inmates need,’’ said Public Services Association organiser Willie Cochrane.

‘‘Six hundred beds will not be enough to ease the current crisis, because so many of the prison areas are not fit to house inmates.

‘‘If that expansion isn’t going ahead, we want to hear what more he’ll do to expand the capacity of our prisons in the short term and keep our members safe in the workplace.’’

Cochrane said yesterday his members wanted a clearer response. ‘‘Frankly, this comment from the minister leaves us none the wiser.

‘‘Our members welcome Labour’s commitment to cut the number of people in prison. But right now, the system is close to breaking point, and our members are getting frustrated at the time the Government is taking.’’

The Labour-led Government has promised to reduce the prison population by 30 per cent in 15 years. It is understood the Government is hoping to make a full and final decision by the end this month.

‘‘We are looking at all the options to deal with the rising prison population and our current capacity crisis.’’

Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis