11429 (2024). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections

11429 (2024). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections: What advice, reports, papers or any other communications, if any, has led to the Minister's statement, which says there are no "downsides" to the additional beds at Waikeria?

Hon Mark Mitchell: Although I have not received papers or advice using the specific terminology referred to in the member’s questions, I did receive a briefing and an aide memoire considered relevant to the member’s questions: • B4685 Vote Corrections Budget 2024 Submission • B4688 Budget 2024 - 'Prisoner Population - Responding to Increasing Prisoner Numbers' initiative I also receive regular updates from my officials on a range of matters, including via regular meetings and my weekly report. As I have previously outlined, this Government’s recently announced $1.9 billion investment in Corrections will provide more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity. The current prison population is forecasted to increase, requiring a combination of operational measures and an infrastructure response with immediate, medium and long-term programmes of work. An expansion of Waikeria Prison is the most viable option to meet these capacity pressures. This is also my response to WPQs 11430, 11431 and 11432 (2024).