24502 (2026). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections

24502 (2026). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections: What prison units, beds, cells, or accommodation blocks, if any, previously considered unsuitable, mothballed, decommissioned, closed, or out of service have been reopened or returned to use since 1 January 2024, broken down by prison site, date returned to use, number of beds or cells affected, and reason they had previously been out of service?

Hon Mark Mitchell: I am advised that since 1 January 2024, Corrections has undertaken a range of measures to increase available accommodation across the prison network in response to the rising prison population. This has included returning some previously closed accommodation to service. In all cases, accommodation is subject to appropriate safety, security, and operational assessments prior to being brought back into use. I am further advised that the only unit that has been recommissioned since 1 January 2024 is Rimutaka Prison’s Upper Unit. This unit was progressively recommissioned during 2024, with 112 of the total 144 beds currently operational. The facility had previously been out of service as it was not required at lower prison population levels. Corrections has also reopened over 2,000 additional beds since October 2023 to help manage the increasing prison population. All decisions to reopen or repurpose accommodation are made in line with Corrections’ operational needs and statutory obligations, including ensuring the humane treatment of prisoners and maintaining safe working conditions for staff. Corrections continues to monitor prison population trends closely and will take further steps, where necessary, to ensure sufficient capacity is available across the network. I refer the member to the attached table which provides the total number of beds opened, by prison, between 1 January 2024 and 31 May 2026. For further information on why beds may have been closed, I refer the member to my answer to WPQ 24497 (2026).