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The Corrections Department is moving more than 500 prisoners out of Christchurch to avoid putting pressure on emergency services and water supplies following Saturday's monster earthquake.
All 135 prisoners from Christchurch Women's Prison would probably have been transferred to Auckland Women's by the end of tomorrow and around half of the approximate 800 prisoners from Christchurch Men's would also have been relocated, Corrections acting manager of service support, Lance Alexander, said.
Acting general manager of operations, Karen Urwin, said there is a risk that the water pressure would not be adequate for sprinklers to work effectively in the event of a fire.
She said both Christchurch Men's and Women's are operating safely, with adequate drinking water, sanitation and staffing in place.
The prisoners will be moved gradually over the coming days. Male prisoners will be taken by prison bus to Otago Corrections Facility and charter flights will be used to move female prisoners to Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility.
The prisoners will be double-bunked to create enough room.
Urwin said all prisoner movements will follow "robust escort processes" to ensure the safety of the public is not compromised.
"This is a temporary move to reduce the demand on local services, ease the pressure for contractors working at the prisons to restore infrastructure and ensure the safety of our staff and prisoners."
There was a risk the prisons' infrastructure might not function properly during an emergency, which could divert emergency services from elsewhere, and place staff, the community and prisoners at risk, Alexander said.
"Although both prisons are operating safely, with adequate drinking water, sanitation and staffing in place, there is a risk that the current water pressure would not be adequate for sprinklers to work effectively in the event of a fire."
Once there was some certainty about the water pressure the prisoners would be returned to Christchurch, he said.
Prisoners with health needs were moved first, followed by prisoners with higher security classifications.
They would be able to phone home when possible.
Rolleston Men's Prison is business as usual and largely unaffected by the earthquake.
Meanwhile, Corrections has offered the services of more than 2400 offenders serving sentences of community work in the area.
Initially the offenders will be used to help clean up debris and sand build-ups, and support the work of welfare centres.
Over time it is likely that they could also contribute to
longer-term redevelopment projects relating to the earthquake
recovery.
