Otago Corrections Facility turns 10
STAFF at the Otago Corrections Facility at Milburn, near Milton, celebrated 10 years since the prison’s opening yesterday.
The facility received its first prisoners 10 years ago and was officially opened by then prime minster Helen Clark on May 10, 2007.
Acting prison director Lyndal Miles said the tenth anniversary marked a significant milestone for the prison.
It was a time to acknowledge the journey so far and look ahead to the continued service the facility would provide.
The operational objectives of Corrections 10 years ago were similar as to what they are today.
‘‘Our role is to provide a safe, humane and engaging environment for containment and rehabilitation . . . to prepare the men with the skills they need for successful reintegration back to the community,’’ she said.
At the celebrations, prison director Jack Harrison said it could be a hard environment to work in.
‘‘We do work with difficult people but that culture that we’re trying to instil . . . lives on.’’
The facility was one of four regional prisons built away from urban centres.
It had a ‘‘sister’’ facility at Spring Hill in Waikato which also adopted a ‘‘campus’’ model of design with a central open space and units.
It was consistent with Corrections objectives to provide ‘‘normalcy’’ around daily living, supporting rehabilitation and providing cultural facilities and services.
Mr Harrison said he felt no shame using the Otago Correctional Facility as a benchmark for other prisons.
The project cost $176 million and involved 15 construction companies and subcontractors.
The facility originally had space for 335 inmates but this has expanded to 484 in the 10 years since its opening.
About 300 staff work at the facility from the wider Clutha District and Dunedin area.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan and Corrections southern regional commissioner Ben Clark also spoke at the event.
The celebration was followed by a tour of the facility.