Embargoed until the Prime Minister
finishes reading her Statement to Parliament

Hon Clem Simich
Minister of Corrections

FIRST YOUTH PRISON TO OPEN THIS YEAR

Young inmates will be separated from adult prisoners when the first of seven planned youth prisons opens in Hawkes Bay this year, Corrections Minister Clem Simich announced today.

The $2.3 million unit is to be established on the grounds of the Hawkes Bay Regional Prison at Mangaroa. It will contain 17 high-medium security beds catering for male inmates aged under 17, and vulnerable prisoners aged between 17 and 19.

Planning is going ahead to establish another six youth units over the next three years to accommodate an expected 230 inmates in total. The others will be established in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

All except one will be located on the site of planned or existing prison sites. The Auckland unit is expected to be stand alone.

Corrections Minister Clem Simich said work on the new youth prisons had been fast-tracked, following the release of the discussion document Getting Kids out of Adult Prisons last year.

"It's vital these new facilities are up and running so we can get young inmates away from the influence of hardened criminals and gang members," he said.

The units will also provide 30 hours a week of schooling and vocational training, to ensure inmates have improved life opportunities upon release.