Dozens of prisoners, including those with high security classifications, were moved to the Otago Corrections Facility (OCF) at Milburn by bus yesterday following concerns about Christchurch Men's Prison after Saturday's 7.1 magnitude earthquake.
Half of the 800 prisoners at Christchurch Men's Prison were being transferred to other New Zealand prisons, including 80 prisoners who arrived by bus at OCF yesterday.
It is understood the transfer went without incident, with staff working around the clock to accommodate the new arrivals.
They will be accommodated by double bunking.
OCF, a low to high-medium security prison with 200 staff, can accommodate up to 335 male prisoners, or 485 prisoners with double bunking.
OCF manager Jack Harrison did not return calls last night, but a Corrections spokeswoman confirmed no additional prison guards would be sought to cover the temporary boost in prison population.
Corrections service support acting manager Lance Alexander said the relocations, which include 135 Christchurch Women's prisoners to Auckland Women's, would be temporary.
While both Christchurch prison facilities were operating safely, there was a concern sprinklers would not work effectively because of current water pressure, he said.
"Once we have some certainty about the water pressure we will move back prisoners to Christchurch."
Corrections has also offered to councils the assistance of more than 2400 offenders serving community work sentences, to help with the clean-up.
