One source, familiar with the prison construction industry, claims the list of jobs to be done at the prison would potentially cost tens of millions of dollars.
The person, who did not want to be identified, also said those wanting to tender for the work would need at least another two months before they were ready to lodge formal bids.
The process of appointing the successful tenderer would then take more weeks and it could be September at the earliest before work could start, leaving just five months.
All requests yesterday by the Otago Daily Times for further details about the potentially expensive fit-out and how the department plans to find the extra 80 staff it will need to cater for the larger prisoner population have been knocked back.
Instead, the department has said it will answer the questions under the Official Information Act - a process which gives it up to 20 working days to respond.
Its stance follows ODT revelations yesterday that the process of expanding capacity at the corrections facility will not be limited to installing beds or containers but will also involve new security fencing, toilet and shower blocks and extending facilities such as health centres, laundries and kitchens.
The Government has confirmed it will lift capacity at the facility to 485 by February next year but doubts remain whether all the projects it needs to complete can be finished by then.
Among the questions posed to the department yesterday were whether it could confirm if the double bunking and other works will be done by February next year, what arrangements have or are being made to accommodate prisoners and staff during construction and when it will know the exact cost of the work.
Meanwhile, 250 people will go through the prison this morning as part of an open day - the first chance the public has had to visit the facility since the first prisoners arrived there just over two years ago.
