Welcome to the first edition of CIE News for 2009.
I would like to congratulate all staff for making 2008 such a success. We have seen many advances in the type and quality of qualifications available to prisoners and an increase in employment opportunities for them.
We have increased the average number of prisoners in employment or training to 2,476 (as at November 2008), an increase of 561 over the previous year.
We began assembling photocopiers for Canon and established new horticulture, farming, catering, timber processing, and joinery training activities.
We have also expanded trade and technical training to three additional prisons, from one polytech to three, and from three courses to six (shortly to be seven). See the story on the ramping up of our courses for prisoners this year.
The concrete yards at Auckland, Wanganui (and for a period Rolleston) Prisons have diversified by adding large-scale pre-cast concrete retaining wall blocks in association with Stone Strong – producing over 2,300 of them last year.
Of particular significance was the completion of the building refurbishment yard at Spring Hill Corrections Facility, rolling out the first house in about four months. This year a NewBuild Construction facility will be created there allowing prisoners to construct modular transportable buildings. See front page for an article on this.
As we begin 2009, it is important to be aware of the challenges ahead. Tightening economic conditions definitely will affect employment positions, including the Release to Work programme.
In this situation it is also increasingly important that we provide top quality qualifications and work experience for prisoners so they can find work on their release.
I look forward to working with you in 2009 as we face these challenges together.
Brent Maughan
CIE National Manager
CIE News welcomes your feedback. Please email feedback or story ideas to commdesk@corrections.govt.nz or phone 04 460 3365.
For more information about CIE or how you can become involved with CIE, please call 04 470 8494 or email cieworktraining@corrections.govt.nz.
ISSN 1174-2909