The ability to produce 600 large, concrete blocks four weeks earlier than expected has won Auckland Prison's pre-cast concrete business a sought after contract with international retaining wall company Stone Strong.

Auckland-based Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE) Pre-cast Manager, Gary Lepper says prisoners not only completed the order in two months rather than three but the quality of work was so good that Stone Strong has now signed a contract with CIE to produce 742 full standard blocks at Rolleston Prison for a North Canterbury project.

The Auckland pre-cast yard will transport nine full-standard moulds to a production area outside Rolleston Prison where up to 10 minimum security prisoners will work on the project.

While the concrete blocks are primarily used for retaining walls, they are also used for building highways, railroads, bridge ends, steep construction sites and waterways.

• Prisoners employed in CIE's pre-cast yard can gain New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) standards towards a National Certificate in Concrete Construction Level 3 Pre-cast and a National Certificate in Crane Operation. The certificates take approximately one and two years respectively to complete.

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ISSN 1178-8453

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