Hon Anne Tolley
Minister of Corrections
7 May 2014
$22 million redevelopment at Whanganui Prison
Corrections Minister Anne Tolley has marked the $22 million redevelopment at Whanganui Prison with the official opening
of the revamped administration building and the start of upgrades to the prison’s East and West wings.
The work is part of upgrades to six prisons around the country costing $87 million.
The administration building includes a new Audio Visual Link (AVL) facility which removes any risks associated with
prisoner transport by allowing prisoners to make court appearances without leaving the secure facility.
The building also features new programme rooms where staff will deliver literacy, numeracy, computing and job-seeking
programmes to remand prisoners.
Work on the East and West Wing projects includes security upgrades, construction of secure staff bases, earthquake
strengthening, cell hardening, and additional exercise yards with increased security.
“The $22 million redevelopment of Whanganui Prison is important in enhancing safety and security at the facility, and
also to deliver rehabilitation programmes to support our target of reducing reoffending by 25 per cent by 2017,” says
Mrs Tolley.
“The vast majority of prisoners will be released and we don’t want them to create more victims and end up back in jail.
By giving them access to drug and alcohol programmes, education and employment skills training we can reduce their
chances of reoffending.
“The construction company involved in the Whanganui Prison redevelopment is involving suitably skilled prisoners on
Release-to-Work on the project, which will give them valuable training to assist with their integration back into the
community.”
The East and West Wing Prison Development Project is due to be completed by August 2015.
ENDS