The Government is pumping $1.9 billion into bolstering prison capacity, staffing and criminal rehab programmes.

The Budget investment will add more than 800 extra beds at Waikeria Prison and deliver 685 more frontline Corrections staff, including 470 prison officers.

ZB political correspondent Barry Soper says it's unclear if the extra cash boost is all coming out of the Government's savings program.

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The Government is pumping $1.9 billion into bolstering prison capacity, staffing and criminal rehab programmes.
The Budget investment will add more than 800 extra beds at Waikeria Prison and deliver 685 more frontline Corrections staff, including 470 prison officers.
ZB political correspondent Barry Soper says it's unclear if the extra cash boost is all coming out of the Government's savings program.
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.