Meet our man on the inside

Herald journalist Derek Cheng tests his cell in the new container block at Rimutaka Prison. Photo / Mark Mitchell

This is the first look at the new container cells at Rimutaka Prison's new unit.

The cells were formerly used as shipping containers and critics say they are an inhumane way to house prisoners.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins will tomorrow open the facility, known as Unit 11.

It is made up of 23 containers, with double bunks and some singles, to house a total of 60 prisoners.

The Corrections Department says the final cost for the unit is estimated at $5.58 million and is around 30 per cent cheaper than a similar-sized traditional unit.

Prisoners will be sent there from June 10.

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Reporter Derek Cheng spent a night in the lockup yesterday before the unit is officially opened tomorrow.

Read about the experience at nzherald.co.nz today and in tomorrow's Herald.