A three-month trial between Corrections and the South Taranaki District Council is seeing 15 offenders on community-based sentences doing maintenance work not covered by existing council contracts.
Every Wednesday offenders get involved in a range of activities, from painting swimming pool changing rooms to clearing weeds and removing graffiti.
The trial began in March with the removal of leaves and debris from paths at Naumai Park in Hawera. Future work includes more work at Naumai Park and the eradication of the pest plant gunnera from a BMX track in Opunake.
Senior Community Work Supervisor Murray West says the trial benefits the community in a way that does not interfere with commercial operators or work already done by other community groups.
“It’s a great opportunity for offenders to learn new skills,” adds Murray. “They have the opportunity to gain valuable experience and improve their work habits.
“The trial has been successful - the Council’s given us more work and we’ve started a graffiti removal programme.”
Murray says the Council was initially unsure about using offenders for projects but once community work processes were explained, Council staff felt reassured.
Council facilities officer Linda Vogt says the success of the trial will be evaluated at the end of June and community feedback will be taken into account.
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ISSN 1178-8453