The prison redevelopment project will cost up to $800 million and be funded in Budget 2025.
There are currently only 14 high security prisoners at Christchurch Men’s Prison out of a total onsite prison population of 853.
"Our government is committed to restoring law and order and ensuring there are consequences for crime, and because of that we’ve seen the prison population nearing its March 2018 peak," Mitchell said.
"We’re investing in our prisons to meet the growing demand for capacity, keep frontline staff, prisoners and the public safe, and provide the best possible environment to rehabilitate prisoners to reduce the risk of reoffending.
"We are also well aware that big infrastructure projects like this create jobs for ordinary Kiwis and that is why we are keen to see this project up and running as quickly as possible."
Cabinet has agreed to provide funding for phase 1 of the Corrections’ Christchurch Men’s Prison Redevelopment Programme.
Mitchell said the indicative capital cost to build the new facilities in phase one of the redevelopment is about $700-$800 million.
There will be four phases to the redevelopment. Phase 1 and Phase 2 were presented to investors at the New Zealand Infrastructure Investment Summit in Auckland on Thursday.
Construction of phase one of the redevelopment is expected to start in mid-2026 and be operational by December 2029.
"Phase one of the redevelopment will be designed, built, financed, and maintained for a period of 25 years under a Public Private Partnership (PPP), with Corrections retaining responsibility for operations and custodial management of the facility.
"Delivery of this work as a PPP supports the Government’s Going for Growth programme by promoting infrastructure investment in New Zealand.
"This investment will help ensure we have enough fit-for-purpose beds to manage high security prisoners, and that Corrections has sufficient capacity to meet the growing prison population."
But Mitchell said the government has no plans to turn Christchurch Men’s into a privately-run prison.
"While construction and ongoing maintenance will be delivered under a PPP, Corrections will retain responsibility for operations and custodial management of the facility."
Mitchell said proposed policy initiatives could see this increase further to a peak of 13,900 prisoners in the same period.
"This unit will be safer for staff, giving them the facilities they need to do their jobs well, and will be a much better environment for the prisoners being treated there," he said.
"The new intervention and support unit will provide dedicated, specialist mental health support to prisoners who are at risk of harming themselves or others.
"A significant number of prisoners experience mental health issues, which can be extremely challenging for both them and our frontline staff.
"The new health centre will deliver a range of healthcare services to the men in prison. In addition to nurses and general practitioners, the new facility will host a range of other health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, physiotherapists, optometrists and dentists.
"Helping prisoners address their mental health and health care needs is essential to ensuring they can go on to take part in other rehabilitation programmes and treatment.
"The staff at Christchurch Men’s Prison work incredibly hard to manage some of this country’s most dangerous people and keep New Zealanders safe.
"We are committed to ensuring they have safe, modern facilities to work in and an environment where they can deliver effective rehabilitation, mental health and health services," Mitchell said.
