9. SHANE ARDERN (National—Taranaki - King Country) Link to this
to the Minister of Corrections
Is she aware of any initiatives to increase capacity at existing prisons?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Corrections) Link to this
Yes. Earlier today I announced that a container cell block capable of housing up to 60 prisoners is to be built at Rimutaka. That new block will be used as a trial to determine whether that type of prison accommodation can be used across the wider prison estate.
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
The tender process for the construction will commence immediately, and it is expected that the new cells will be ready to house prisoners by March next year. The increase is necessary because this Government has no choice. We have inherited a capacity crisis from the previous Government. Its failure to plan means that the number of prisoners will soon exceed the number of beds available in our prisons.