30 March 2011

Serco representatives were delighted to attend today’s opening event for the new prison addition at Mt Eden. The Minister for Corrections, Hon Judith Collins, officially opened the new buildings in Auckland.

The event takes place one day before the Department of Corrections will officially hand responsibility for the new prison building to Serco.

Paul Mahoney, Managing Director Civil Government, Serco Asia Pacific, said the new facility is world-class. “The advanced design and high technology specifications allow efficiencies in prisoner management that were not possible until now.”

Serco has made a commitment to the New Zealand Government to improve prisoner outcomes and the company is focused on prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration.

Combined with Serco’s international experience in prison management, the new prison will go a long way to ensuring Serco delivers on its undertaking to reduce re-offending.

“Our team has been working closely with the Department of Corrections over the last few months to ensure a smooth transition to Serco in readiness for August 1, when we will also take full operational responsibility for the existing Auckland Central Remand Prison,” said Mr Mahoney.

Combined, the new Mt Eden prison facility and Auckland Central Remand Prison will be managed by Serco as the ‘Mt Eden Corrections Facility’.

Throughout April, Serco will be busy preparing for operational readiness in anticipation of prisoner build-up from May 1.

ENDS

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