27 May, 2003
Taranaki offices of the Community Probation Service (CPS) say work parties of offenders serving community-based sentences are ready and able to lend considerable help to local projects.
"Whether it's painting buildings, fixing up a hall or building a playground we want to hear from groups interested in using offenders to get the job done," says New Plymouth-based Service Manager Ann Kensington.
Ann says there are over 100 offenders in the south-central Taranaki region who are currently serving Community Work. The Community Work sentence requires offenders to make reparation to the community for the offence they committed, via work in the community
"The offenders' work skills and suitability are assessed by Probation Officers and matched to a project. All work is carried out under supervision and attendance is monitored."
"There are plenty of good examples where Community Work groups have helped out organisations such as local schools, charities, Marae, and the local council," Ann explains. "So long as the work is not normally carried out as full-time employment a Community Work group may be able to help."
Examples of projects that CPS offenders have worked on include:
"This is a great opportunity for local groups to benefit from the free service a Community Work group can provide and I encourage them to contact their local Community Probation Service office to find out more."