The number of prisoners participating on the Release to Work programme is set to increase as part of Corrections’ Prisoner Employment Strategy 2005-2008.
Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE) Manager Brent Maughan says Release to Work is a form of temporary release that allows prisoners nearing the end of their sentences to be released into the community during the day to work.
“Release to Work helps prisoners reintegrate back into the community because it provides them with a stable work record and job experience,” says Brent.
“Many prisoners continue in their job after they leave prison and this helps ease their transition back into the community, providing them with a regular income and enhancing their chances of rehabilitation.”
While Release to Work is not a new initiative, Brent says the Prisoner Employment Strategy aims to significantly increase the number of prisoners participating because it helps address the significant skills deficits and obstacles prisoners face in obtaining post-release employment.
“Currently we have a very small number of prisoners participating in the programme. We are aiming to increase the number of prisoners participating on Release to Work to 80 this financial year, and up to 120 prisoners in the 2007-2008 financial year.”
Brent says Release to Work is an important programme because research shows that having a job on release reduces the chance a prisoner will re-offend.
“Most prisoners have limited education or work experience,” he says. At the time of the last prison census in 2002, 45 percent of prisoners were not in paid work before going to prison and 53 percent had no formal qualifications.
Release to Work has been successful in helping prisoners find employment on release and many prisoners have maintained their jobs post-release or moved on to better employment.
Brent emphasises that public safety is the primary consideration when deciding if a prisoner is suitable for Release to Work and all prisoners participating are minimum-security.
“We have a number of checks and balances in place to ensure the safe and effective management of Release to Work which prioritises public safety.”
All prisoners on Release to Work must be in an employment position where they can be under reasonably constant supervision and CIE staff regularly monitor prisoners at their place of work.
Prisoners on Release to Work receive market-based wages and must receive at least the minimum wage. Thirty percent of a prisoner’s wage is paid to Corrections as board and to cover the costs of the prisoner’s rehabilitation. Prisoner’s earnings will also be used to pay family support or any outstanding fines. The remainder is saved so the prisoner has funds on release.
Brent says community support is integral in helping prisoners.
“It is important to remember that all but the very worst prisoners will be released from prison at some point and it is therefore in everyone’s interest that they reintegrate successfully back into the community. We need to do all we can to ensure they leave prison with the ability to become lawabiding, independent and productive citizens.
“We cannot do this alone - we rely on communities and business to take up the challenge and provide support and employment to prisoners who are motivated to change their behaviour.”
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ISSN 1178-8453