Minimum security prisoners from Hawke’s Bay Prison are gaining valuable employment skills picking fruit in local orchards.
“Teaching prisoners basic work skills, such as working under supervision, working with others in a team and meeting customer standards, are important skills that will help them increase their chances of finding a job on release,” says Corrections Inmate Employment Acting National Operations Manager Robin Benefield.
“Many prisoners were long-term unemployed before imprisonment,” explains Robin. “In fact, in 2003, only 45 percent of sentenced prisoners had been in paid employment before entering prison.”
Robin says that it is unfortunate that this work opportunity attracted negative media coverage earlier in the year.
“When we provide this type of initiative we can attract criticism. Many say prisons are too soft while others say they are too hard. We are criticised for not providing enough work for prisoners, but when we do we are criticised for endangering the community.
“The fact remains that all but a handful of the very worst prisoners will return to the community at some time. It is important that we prepare them so they have the opportunity to get on with their lives and become productive and law-abiding members of society.”
Robin emphasises that public safety is Corrections’ absolute priority when deciding if it is suitable for a prisoner to work in the community. Only minimum security prisoners and those nearing their release from prison are allowed to leave prison and participate in employment training programmes.
In addition, Robin says allowing prisoners to work in local orchards was an opportunity for Corrections to make a positive contribution to the community.
“It is a win-win situation - orchard owners are crying out for labour and are facing huge difficulties recruiting workers.
Corrections is in discussions with horticultural contractors to develop an industry training programme and some of the prisoners picking fruit have already been offered employment on picking gangs on their release.”
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ISSN 1178-8453