The Corrections Minister's ensuring prisons have enough capacity to meet the growing population

Cabinet's agreed to invest up to 800-million-dollars into the first phase of redeveloping Christchurch Men's Prison, in this year's Budget.

It will go towards 240 new high security beds, a health centre and Intervention and Support Unit.

Mitchell says the project will be designed, built, financed, and maintained for 25 years under a Public Private Partnership

He says there are more projects in the pipeline, as seen in Corrections' Long Term Configuration Plan.