-
Source: ONE News -
Related
The government has put out a request for information as it looks to find a contractor to manage a prison operated by the Department of Corrections.
Last year, parliament passed legislation that allowed prisons to be contract managed on a case by case basis as part of a government move to increase the efficiency of the prison system.
Corrections says its minister Judith Collins has two preferred sites for the management contract: the existing Mt Eden Prison or a proposed new prison in South Auckland.
Corrections CEO Barry Matthews says the department is looking for innovative and experienced companies to tender on a stand-alone basis, or to partner with other companies.
"Companies will need to have extensive experience and a proven track record. Prisons are complex, high-risk organisations and the safety of the public, staff, and other prisoners will be a key consideration when short-listing providers," he says.
Corrections operates 20 prisons with around 8,200 prisoners.
Private management of prisons has been used across the Tasman for 20 years, with around eight prisons contracted out in Australia.
The United Kingdom and the United States have both used contract management since 1992.
