Four Spring Hill Corrections Facility prisoners created history late last year completing the first building started from scratch in the prison’s onsite construction facility.
It took the men seven weeks to build Glen Massey School’s new e-learning centre – a project that extended to lighting, ventilation, energy efficiency and insulation.
Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE) Business Development Manager Win McDonald says the prisoners did the work under the guidance of PLB Construction – the company that won the tender to build the centre.
“The school principal was impressed with the quality of the work and very pleased to receive the much anticipated e-learning centre,” says Win. “Every one of the school’s students will benefit from it.”
Opened in July 2008, the prison-based construction facility includes an outdoor refurbishment yard and workshop which in time will employ more than 90 prisoners.
“We have a contract with Housing New Zealand to refurbish around 40 state houses a year,” says Win. “Nine instructors are teaching prisoners trade skills in painting, plastering, electricity, carpentry, plumbing and timber joinery.”
“We look forward to expanding our building construction programme at Spring Hill and welcome enquiries from anyone who thinks they might have a mutually beneficial business opportunity that CIE could assist with.”
To contact CIE please call 04 470 8494 or email cie.worktraining@corrections.govt.nz
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ISSN 1178-8453