The Corrections Department is moving more than 500 prisoners out of Christchurch to avoid putting pressure on emergency services and water supplies following Saturday's monster earthquake.
All 135 prisoners from Christchurch Women's Prison would probably have been transferred to Auckland Women's by the end of tomorrow and around half of the approximate 800 prisoners from Christchurch Men's would also have been relocated, Corrections acting manager of service support, Lance Alexander, said.
The temporary move was a precautionary measure after the magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit the city on Saturday and affected the prisons' water systems.
Inmates from the men's prison would be taken by bus to Otago Corrections Facility and some to the North Island.
Charter flights would take women to Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility.
The prisoners will be double-bunked to create enough room.
There was a risk the prisons' infrastructure might not function properly during an emergency, which could divert emergency services from elsewhere, and place staff, the community and prisoners at risk, Mr Alexander said
"Although both prisons are operating safely, with adequate drinking water, sanitation and staffing in place, there is a risk that the current water pressure would not be adequate for sprinklers to work effectively in the event of a fire."
Once there was some certainty about the water pressure the prisoners would be returned to Christchurch, he said.
Prisoners with health needs were moved first, followed by prisoners with higher security classifications. They would be able to phone home when possible.
Rolleston Men's Prison has not been affected by the quake.
Meanwhile, Corrections has offered the services of more than 2400 offenders serving sentences of community work in the area.
Initially the offenders will be used to help clean up debris and sand build-ups, and support the work of welfare centres. Over time it is likely that they could also contribute to longer-term redevelopment projects relating to the earthquake recovery.
NZPA