The government is increasing staff at the prison inspectorate in the wake of the Mt Eden fight clubs scandal, but will not make it a stand-alone entity.
Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
A report released last year found there was organised violence at the then-privately-run prison in mid-2015.
Mt Eden is due to transfer back into full public control at the end of this month.
Corrections Minister Louise Upston has announced that eight new inspectors are to be appointed
More wide-ranging powers will also be given to the chief inspector.
But Mrs Upston said the inspectorate would not be stripped out of the Corrections Department.
"So that was an option that was considered at the end of last year, and the decision was made that because the Ombudsman provides separate oversight that a beefed-up inspectorate would be sufficient. It will be reviewed on an annual basis."