58918 (2025). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections

58918 (2025). Dr Tracey McLellan to the Minister of Corrections: What actions, if any, have been taken to update and increase prisoner beds during the month of November?

Hon Mark Mitchell: I am advised that Corrections’ prison operational capacity has increased from 9,401 as at 30 November 2023 to 12,147 as at 30 November 2025. Corrections continues to plan, manage, and invest as required, to ensure it can safely manage the projected prison population beyond 2028. This includes the further expansion at Waikeria Prison of 810 beds announced in Budget 2024, the announcement in March 2025 of Phase 1 of the Christchurch Men’s Prison Redevelopment, which will deliver 240 high security beds, and the Accelerated Capacity Project at Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison which will deliver 316 high security beds in 2027.