Wellington, Sept 9 NZPA - Nearly 650 prisoners will have been evacuated from Christchurch men's and women's prisons by late tomorrow, the Corrections Department says.

About 200 high-security prisoners had been transferred to Waikeria, Spring Hill and Rimutaka prisons last night, and all had been compliant, spokesman Lance Alexander said.

"Staff worked together through the night to receive, process, assess and feed prisoners arriving at North Island prisons. The last prisoners from yesterday's movements were locked into their cells at Spring Hill at around 6am," he said.

"Other staff have been supervising prisoners on flights, managing road transfers to and from airports and ensuring that the safety of the public isn't compromised through the movements. Logistically this is a huge exercise and we are grateful for the tireless effort of our staff and their dedication."

Prisoners had been moved on air force planes, and police had assisted with transfers between airports and prisons.

It was not known how long prisoners would be housed outside of Christchurch, Mr Alexander said.

"Our focus is on inspecting and assessing any damage to the prisons there, cleaning up and restoring affected infrastructure," he said.

"We are not willing to add further pressure to emergency services in Christchurch by placing prisoners back in Christchurch without assurance that the sites are safe and secure."

The lower security units at Christchurch Men's Prison remained functional and there was safe and secure capacity to manage about 360 prisoners there. As well, Rolleston Prison was operating normally.

Where they've gone:

* All prisoners from Christchurch Women's Prison have been temporarily moved to Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility (127 total); and

* Christchurch Men's Prison inmates have gone to Otago (87), Spring Hill (122), Waikeria (60), Rimutaka (185) and Tongariro/Rangipo (62).

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