Sweet corn on the cob is the taste of summer - and this year it’s arrived with the help of ten prisoners from Northland Regional Corrections Facility who’ve been out harvesting in some of the worst summer weather the area has seen.
Corrections Inmate Employment Instructor George Park goes out with the crew and says they’ve worked hard and have a positive attitude, despite the rain.
“They’ve been very courteous too, which has impressed the contractor,” he says.
The prison was awarded a contract at the end of October to supply the work crew to Kaitoke Labour Hire.
Kaikohe Labour Hire Manager Frank Phipps says the crew is well-supervised, organised and keen to get on with the job.
“Other New Zealand businesses should definitely consider using prison work crews,” he says.
The prisoners are collected from the prison at seven in the morning and work until the early evening.
Kaikohe Labour Hire pays contract rates for their labour. The prisoners are paid an incentive allowance and the remainder goes to cover the costs of their transport and supervision.
This type of work is an important component of Corrections’ Prisoner Employment Strategy, which aims to increase prisoner employment from 40 to 60 percent by actively seeking meaningful work.
“We’ve demonstrated that we’re reliable and that we have crew members who are skilled enough to drive tractors and operate machinery,” says George.
“Our next job will be harvesting the kumara we planted last year.”
The work gang gets on a
roll despite the rain
Got a story for Corrections News or want to request the print edition?
Email commdesk@corrections.govt.nz or phone (04) 460 3365.
ISSN 1178-8453