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The Mount Eden Corrections Facility development in Auckland - Source: ONE News -
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A new Auckland prison which has been described as an "architectural monstrosity" has been officially opened by Corrections Minister Judith Collins today.
The new 554-bed Mt Eden prison building, gatehouse and support buildings will replace the existing Mt Eden Prison which was opened in 1888.
The facility will ultimately provide accommodation for up to 966, mainly remand, prisoners.
Collins said the new facility was a "tremendous achievement" ,and would be the country's most modern prison both in terms of design and its approach to management of prisoners and rehabilitation.
"It's crucial that prisons not only keep dangerous criminals securely locked away, but they have a strong focus on helping prisoners turn their lives around.
"It is our responsibility to ensure prisoners have the skills to find employment, or to help them beat the addictions that inevitably lead them back to a life of crime."
The $218 million Mount Eden Corrections Facility caused an uproar when it was being built because of its height and proximity to the central city.
Many of the 360 cells in the eight-storey building will be above the level of the adjacent southern motorway, and just over the fence from Auckland Grammar School.
Former Auckland city mayor John Banks slammed the development last year, saying "it's awful" and described it as an "architectural monstrosity".
But Collins said "anyone looking at the new prison now will have difficulty telling it apart from some of the best office blocks around".
Corrections Department project manager Campbell Twist said they tried to adopt a design which maximises light while "making sure we do protect both those outside and those inside from viewing eyes".
Auckland councillor Cameron Brewer, while saying its placement on prime real estate was poorly decided, said the prison looks better than many people thought it would.
"They should have taken the chance to sell up, relocate and expand in a more sustainable and appropriate location. It was a bad mistake and unfortunately Aucklanders will have to live with it for generations.
"Given the nearby five-hectare Lion Brewery site sold in 2007 for $162m, the previous government could have got a huge sum for the similar sized prison site."
Brewer said putting a business park on the site would have been a better use for that piece of land.
The prison will be run by multinational company Serco.
Details of the prison contract were recently tabled in parliament, with one of the provisions being a $150,000 fine for every prisoner escape or death in prison. Wrongful releases or detentions will cost it $25,000.
Serco spokesman Paul Mahoney said the new facility is world-class with advanced design and high technology specifications. He said the company has made a commitment to the government to improve prisoner outcomes and it is focused on prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration.
On August 1 Serco will also take full operational responsibility for the existing Auckland Central Remand Prison which will be known as the Mt Eden Corrections Facility.
Media were given a tour of the prison before the official opening this afternoon which included speeches by Corrections Minister Judith Collins and Corrections Chief Executive Ray Smith.
The current Mt Eden Prison is expected to close in 2011. Its future use is yet to be decided.
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