David Clendon

Wellington, July 13 NZPA - A Green Party MP says he will spend a night in jail if the Government can build a private prison at Wiri in south Auckland for $300 million.

David Clendon said today he was prepared to bet a night behind bars that there would be a budget blowout for the prison which Corrections Minister Judith Collins says can be built for $298m.

Mr Clendon said the Corrections Association estimated the cost at $500m.

"I'm willing to bet the Wiri corporate prison will cost well over $300 million," the MP said.

"If the minister gets it built for $298 million I will spend the night in Wiri jail."

The Government's proposal is to let a private contractor build and operate the prison in South Auckland.

Ms Collins says that based on the usual government-funded approach a 960-bed jail will cost $298m to build and equip.

If the project goes ahead Mr Clendon will have to wait several years before he finds out whether he is going to spend a night in jail.