Corrections says more prisons needed

Prison overcrowding problems could continue well into the next decade if new prisons are not added to those already under construction, the Corrections Department has warned.

In its briefing to incoming Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor, the department says the rising prison muster, which has seen prisoners forced into police and court cells and in some cases into vans parked outside prisons, is set to continue.

New prisons currently under construction would add 1600 beds by the end of 2007, but that would not be enough.

Given the long time required to obtain resource consents for new prisons the papers say the Government should start planning now.

But Mr O'Connor has said no new prisons are being considered, despite the papers suggesting there are currently no "credible options" for reducing prison inmate projections.

They say the higher than projected inmate numbers, caused by changes to bail and sentencing laws, coupled with a drop in the use of home detention, are set to continue past 2010, placing pressure on prison facilities and staff.

Those pressures came from having to move prisoners around to fill available prison beds and the need to manage additional sites such as court cells.

"As a result, staff overtime increases, while staff training and annual leave are reduced, creating a legacy of tired staff."

The situation also put stress on inmates raising the risk of suicide.

"Prisoners face increased stress from transfers at short notice, spending time in sub-optimal accommodation, or having their unlock hours reduced. Therefore tensions can arise, and the risk of self harm also increases."

Overcrowding also meant it was difficult to offer some rehabilitation activities such as employment programmes for inmates.

Mr O'Connor said there were no plans for any new prisons, The Dominion Post reported today.

Instead he was focused on reducing inmate numbers and the number of inmates reoffending.

The department also said it faces problems attracting new staff.

It needed to hire 1800 new prison guards in the next three years, which would be a challenge in the current tight labour market.

- NZPA