Hastings District Council issues notice on Hawkes Bay Prison

Hastings District Council has issued an Insanitary Building Notice to Hawke’s Bay Prison after black mould was discovered in some prison buildings.

The council received the results from samples of the mould from a laboratory working on behalf of the Department of Corrections last week.

Leaking roofs in the effected areas had caused mould to grow within some parts of the structure of the effected buildings.

HDC Community Safety manager, Malcom Hart, says on Friday the council issued the notice to Corrections and the prison to protect human health.

The council has been working with the prison to address the concerns.

“The notice requires the prison to move prisoners from three wings immediately, to stop the leaking which has caused the mould and to carry outrecommendations made by the laboratory.

The prisoners have been moved  from the effected areas.” Malcom says.

Corrections have up to 12 months to fix buildings in order to comply with the notice.

“Corrections has told us it has already engaged contractors to repair buildings and is confident it will get the work done well within time allowed.”