32809 (2025). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections

32809 (2025). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections: How many beds are Corrections projected to deliver by June 2028? 

Hon Mark Mitchell: I am advised that Corrections’ prison operational capacity has increased from 9,401 as at 30 November 2023 to 11,496 as at 30 June 2025. I am further advised that figures above are in addition to the development of the new facility at Waikeria Prison, which has provided an additional 600 beds, including 96 dedicated mental health beds (plus four dry cells). Corrections continues to plan, manage and invest as required, to ensure it can safely manage the projected prison population beyond 2028. A Long Term Network Configuration Plan has been developed, which identifies proposed capacity investments over a 20 year span. This includes the further expansion at Waikeria Prison of 810 beds announced in Budget 2024 and the announcement in March 2025 of Phase 1 of the Christchurch Men’s Prison Redevelopment, which will deliver 240 high security beds. This is also my response to WPQ 32817 (2025).