Prison + Detention

New Zealand’s First SUPERMAX Prison

Hampden takes on New Zealand’s first SUPERMAX prison project

Background

Early on in the project Fletcher Construction approached Hampden to work with the design team on the new SUPERMAX prison at Paremoremo. The team comprised of Fletchers, Jacobs Security, Mode Architects and BECA and the mandate was to design an effective containment solution for not only the secure perimeter but also several areas within the high security facility.  

Services Offered / Solutions / Why Chosen

  • Hampden’s involvement began almost 2 years before construction commenced with consulting and design advice. Detailing specifications, samples, drawings, renders and configurations to suit the exacting needs of the client. 

  • Hampden’s extensive knowledge and experience built upon its involvement in 11 major prisons developments as well as several smaller prison enhancement projects has proven to be invaluable to the design team and in the end the client when faced with meeting exacting containment criteria.

  • Hampden’s ability to deliver tailored integrated solutions and to bring them through from concept to completion makes us the “go-to” option when it comes to design, product selection and the build itself. 

  • Hampden installation team worked closely with multiple other trades on site to get the job done while our designated project team made this an accurate and efficiently project managed from start to finish.

  • With the inevitable change in scope Hampden’s in-house resources was able to meet these challenges in a timely and cost effective way helping to keep the overall project on track. 

  • Health & Safety was paramount, especially when installing over 4km of Concertina Razor Wire up to a height of 3.6m. Hampden had the well-considered methodologies as well as internationally sourced and certified PPE to keep its people safe. Hampden is proud it had no lost time incidents during installation which is a testament to the way we lead in the area of Health & Safety.

Key project facts:

  • $3.5M Contract Value

  • Project length of over 4 years

  • Expected lifespan 50+ years

  • First SUPERMAX (maximum high security) Prison in NZ

  • Beds 260

  • Resource peaked several times during construction requiring Hampden to dedicate up to 16 personnel at any one time

  • Shop drawings produced for sign-off before all fabrication was done in-house by our experienced and certified team.

Scope and products used:

  • Anticlimb Drums: nearly 1km of 900mm diameter spiral ducts were installed as a continuous Anti-climb barrier to the top of the precast perimeter wall at various heights ranging from 4m to 7.5m.

  • Internal Management Fence: A combined Chainlink and Concertina Razor Wire fence to deter and contain even the most determined prisoners.  

  • East-West Link: A 4m high Expanded Mesh (Anti-climb) with an anti-dig concrete strip and a 4.3m high Sensor Fence forms an effective secure link between the two prison wings.

  • Privacy Screens: specifically intended to create a visual barrier between accommodation wings and prevent communication and planned attacks.  

  • Wing locks: assembly cages specifically designed for Riot Squad’s deployment in case of an emergency. 

  • Custom louvres: 100% visual barrier while allowing airflow to the corridors. 

  • Various other custom enclosures, fences and gates to suit high security requirements

Mt Eden Correctional Facility

Auckland Custody Unit - High Security Fencing

Background

Located in central Auckland, Mt Eden Correctional Facility recently constructed a new building, the Police Custody Unit, designed to accommodate detainees. As New Zealand’s most experienced high-security fence and gate company, Hampden Fence was engaged to fulfil the exacting high-security requirements stipulated by the Corrections Department. Updates were undertaken while the main prison building remained operational.

Who does Arrow International call when it has a challenging project that demands a custom solution? Hampden Fence, as Rhys McKenzie, Project Manager for Arrow International says, “We’ve had a long association with Hampden Fence over the years and they always exceed expectations. High-security fencing and gates systems in a high-risk environment need to be fit-for-purpose. There can be no mistakes. Hampden Fence always delivers.” With more than 12 prison projects successfully completed around New Zealand, Hampden Fence can offer the expertise needed to deliver on the most complex high-security projects.

“We’ve had a long association with Hampden Fence over the years and they always exceed expectations. High-security fencing and gates systems in a high-risk environment need to be fit-for-purpose. There can be no mistakes. Hampden Fence always delivers.”
— Rhys McKenzie, Project Manager for Arrow International

Key project facts:

  • Expamet Expanded Metal high security fencing and double swing gates: 7m wide x 4m high / 6m wide x 4m high

  • ArmourFence™ Palisade fence: 2.5m high

  • ArmourFence Palisade cantilever sliding gate system: 4.5m wide x 2.5m high

  • Pipe & Mesh Chainlink high security fence and gate forming a bail chute with roof, including several swing gates

  • Heavy duty articulated arm system added to existing large vehicle security gates

  • Various other high security fence modifications to suit new site layout

Why choose Hampden Fence for your next high security project:

Finding a better way through design options:

Hampden took a close look at the unique requirements for the Auckland Custodial Unit during the design phase and recommended the best methods, components and products based on our experience.

Knowing the products:

Hampden offered accurate solutions and ‘fit-for-purpose’ products that would achieve the appropriate result required for the Department of Corrections. The requirements varied throughout the site, and Hampden was able to recommend the most suitable product for each area.

Making it specifically for you with custom fabrication:

Hampden custom-fabricated a wide range of gates for the site including, large complex gates that needed to perform under high wind loads. Each set of gates were fabricated using the most suitable product for their application and functionality needs. This included ArmourFence Palisade, 358 Expanded Metal Mesh and Pipe & Mesh.

Getting it right from start to finish with our construction skills:

With proven experience and reputation of high security projects, Hampden has the necessary skills to undertake complex projects and ensure a quality finish. Our fabrication team is experienced, qualified and able to meet the demands of complex requirements.

Powerful partnering with supply chain relationships:

With our supply chain and construction industry relationships, Hampden offers some of the best products in the market for high security solutions. 

Solutions provided by Hampden Fence:

Swing Gates – Expamet Expanded Metal Mesh

Expamet is a preferred choice for many prison environments. Not surprisingly, it was used on this site for its anti-climb and durable qualities. Accommodating access for large vehicles meant the gates had to be considerable in size and subsequently heavy duty to allow for regular use.

Cantilever Gate – Armour Fence™ Palisade

Armour Fence™ Palisade is a robust system and superior high security product that is versatile, cost-effective and has great high security qualities. The three prongs at the top of each Palisade deters intruders and controls access in and out of the property. This product was used on this project as practical vehicle and personnel control.

Automation

The challenge of specifying fit-for-purpose actuators to automate the main entry into the custodial unit (within the prison perimeter) was met by purpose-built heavy-duty actuators that have a 100% duty cycle and can accommodate the significant wind loading caused by the size and limiting open area of 35%.

Pipe and Mesh Chainlink

This product was used to create a bail chute for the transfer of criminals, although with lower security properties it serves its purpose as a containment walkway.

Auckland South Corrections Facility

High Security Prison Fencing

Background

Auckland South Corrections Facility (ASCF) is a high security men’s prison located at Wiri, Auckland. ASCF is operated by Serco New Zealand under a Public Private Partnership with the Department of Corrections.  The prison opened in May 2015, after a complex 29-month (approx.) construction period. 

As New Zealand’s recognised leader in high security prison fencing, Hampden was engaged to work with all other key project stakeholders, including Serco, Spotless (Maintenance), Fletcher Construction (Main Contractor), Mode Design & Peddle Thorp (Architects), Beca (Structural Engineers) and multiple sub-contractors.  

Strategic Design Advice

Hampden Fence was involved at a very early stage of the project, supporting both the architects and the main contractor with initial design concepts and advice throughout until the designs were ultimately finalised. 

Hampden was also the first sub-contractor on site, creating an access point for the earthworks to commence.  Some months later it began the custom fabrication of the high security fencing solutions to feature across the prison site. 


Compliance, Cooperation, Communication

The Wiri Prison project presented a range of [typical] challenges, all of which Hampden managed to ensure minimal impact on the seamless delivery of each stage of the work:

  • Required level of documentation - Specifications and certifications

  • Operational difficulties due to restricted access around and to site

  • Restricted space available for product and multiple product relocations

  • Many main contractor managers with various conflicting scheduling requirements

  • Minimal input from main contractor for design issues – very reliant on HF

  • Required level of communication and detailing

  • Slow to receive finalised design detail on variation work

  • Compacted programme near completion

The value of working with the prison high security fencing experts

Hampden is New Zealand’s most experienced prison high security fencing company, with involvement on 11 prisons and other CYFS youth correctional facilities.  Hampden worked with Fletcher Construction on Mt Eden Prison redevelopment project and is also working with it on Paremoremo Prison.  Hampden is trusted to meet all design and fabrication challenges, communicate well with key stakeholders, and provide excellent documentation through each project.  It also brings exceptional Health & Safety performance – with no major incidents on the Wiri Prison project. Hampden’s experience brings with it a clear understanding of the optimal level of required on-site resources, and with its own in-house fabrication capabilities, its ability to ensure the very highest standards of quality control are second-to-none.  

Project Scope:

  • 850m of 4.8m high perimeter high security fencing

  • 3m high internal 358 anti-climb high security fencing

  • Preliminary temporary site fencing

  • Various other high security fencing – internal and external

 
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09 274 7557   |   sales@hampden.co.nz