Prison decision looming

The Government is considering going ahead with what’s become known as the Waikeria ‘‘megaprison’’, but it will likely look different to the previous government’s plan.

New Zealand’s prison population has been growing rapidly for the past 30 years. In 2016 the prison population exceeded 10,000 for the first time, and it had continued to grow since then.

The former National government had planned a new facility at Waikeria, as part of a publicprivate partnership (PPP), to house the rising population. The $1 billion prison was expected to provide an additional 1500 prisoner beds, with the ability to expand it to 2000. But the coalition Government ruled out PPPs for prisons when it came to power.

Justice Minister Andrew Little yesterday said a decision about Waikeria would be made public within the next few weeks.

‘‘It has taken longer than we would have liked, and that’s simply because we are looking at every possible option that we can.’’

The debate had become stuck on whether the so-called megaprison would be built, or no prison at all. Different options looked at meeting the short-term need for the rapidly increasing prison population, as well as moving towards the Government’s goal of reducing the population by 30 per cent in 15 years.

‘‘We’ve got to meet our shortterm need if only because it’s improper for more and more prisoners to be double bunked and put into overcrowded, and effectively more dangerous, prisons. We’ve got to deal with that issue.’’