New prison opens in Otago

Prime Minister Helen Clark today officially opened a new Otago prison which will hold up to 335 prisoners.

Department of Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews said the Otago Corrections Facility in Milburn, north of Milton, was different from traditional prisons.

"It incorporates design features that are intended to be the most effective in terms of safety, security and rehabilitation; and to provide a better environment for our work."

The first prisoners would arrive on the site in June and the prison should be operating at full capacity by the end of the year.

- NZPA