Development Of Paparua Prison Now Under Way

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29246, 2 July 1960, Page 17

Development Of Paparua Prison Now Under Way

The first stage of the development of Paparua Prison as the South Island’s principal penal institution is under way. Works will be based on -the existing prison which will become the core of a big new building programme, that may later include the establishment of a women’s prison and a borstal training centre nearby. A maximum security workshop is the initial part of the whole scheme. A tender has been let for the construction of the workshop, which will be a windowless building of concrete, and occupation of it is expected by prison authorities before the end of the year.The workshop is intended for the production of articles for use by Government departments. It is sited to the south of the present east cell block at Paparua and its cost, without equipment, approaches £35,000. Its three self-contained sections are as escape-proof as modern prison design can make them. The sections are a joinery shop with a paint shop; a tailoring shop and a general store. The workshop was designed in Christchurch by the Ministry of Works and is being built by a private contractor. It is understood that tenders will soon be invited for the supply of new woodworking machines to go in the joinery shop. These are estimated to cost about £3OOO. The siting of the building itself —more than 115 feet long and about 93 feet wide—will mean rerouting of certain cables in the prison area. The flooring will be concrete and the walls Bin double reinforced concrete.

A double thickness -escapeproof” roof will rise 23ft above floor level (14ft at the eaves) and will contain apertures for light. These .“roof windows” will be wired cast plate glass set in steel angles and protected on the inside by Jin high tensile steel bars four inches apart. A Security system of double doors leads to each of the three physically self-contained sections of the workshop. Features of it are the concentration of warden force at the single entry dock and glazed walls between supervisory points and the different sections. After the workshop it is hoped to provide varying types of accommodation for maximum and medium security prisoners (these Will be' new buildings sited to the east of the present prison), a hospital, reception, visiting and welfare block containing a hall and stage for gymnasium and entertainment uses to the east of the present administrative block, and development of kitchen, baking, laundry and boiler facilities and maximum security dining to the south of the existing prison.

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