It became Auckland's main prison when the old city jail on the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets was demolished in 1865.Pat Boone's song 'Speedy Gonzales' was rewritten by the Howard Morrison Quartet and became "George The Wilder Colonial Boy".[5] The redevelopment included a secure gatehouse, a visitor centre and a multilevel carpark added to the structure.[12] In May 2010, the National-led government decided that contract management would again be implemented at Auckland Central Remand Prison.[14] On 24 July, Serco's contract to run the Mount Eden prison was revoked and operation was given back to the New Zealand Department of Corrections.
Exterior view of the old prison.
The Prisons have been the site of several protests. Pictured is a protest which took place in October 2007 over recent police raids.