Judith Collins

Wellington, July 12 NZPA - A proposed $298 million public-private partnership prison in South Auckland will have a $1.2 billion economic spinoff, Corrections Minister Judith Collins says.

An economic impact report commissioned by the Department of Corrections found the 960-bed prison at Wiri, to be built during the next four years, would sustain an average of 380 jobs a year.

"In total, the construction and maintenance of the prison will inject $101.6m in wages and salaries for construction sector workers over the lifetime of the prison," Ms Collins said.

"Corrections estimates that the facility will employ approximately 384 custodial staff, 144 prison support staff and around 115 non-prison staff for a total of 643 workers, primarily in Manukau City. The annual wage bill is expected to be $41.8m annually."

As well as wages, the prison would buy goods and services from local businesses.

"All up, the added value the prison is likely to generate to the Auckland region over its 30-year lifespan is approximately $1.2 billion," she said.

The prison would be the first in New Zealand to be designed, built and operated under a public-private partnership and was needed to help cope with the extra 2270 prison beds needed by 2019.