2 August 2007
Prisoners from Rimutaka Prison are lending a helping hand to the Porirua City Council in their upgrade of the Colonial Knob walkway link in the Porirua Scenic Reserve.
Six prisoners from the Rimutaka Prison Joinery Workshop have constructed 88 sets of boxed steps and six new bridges that will be installed by prison work gangs this month.
The first sets of boxed steps and bridges were brought in by helicopter to the site on Tuesday with further drops expected to continue progressively throughout the month.
A work gang of seven prisoners has been undertaking labour intensive track work in preparation for the instalment of the kits. Due to unforeseen problems with the preparation of the land that requires further labour intensive attention, this number is expected to increase to three work gangs, resulting in up to thirty prisoners working on the upgrade. Work gangs are supervised at all times.
National Manager of Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE) Brent Maughan said the partnership with the Porirua City Council provides a great opportunity for prisoners to give back to the community whilst gaining valuable work experience.
"Prisoners working in the joinery workshop gain important hands-on industry experience and qualifications that will assist them in finding work within the industry when released,” Mr Maughan said.
CIE aims to provide prisoners with employment and employment related training
to improve prisoners’ ability to find employment upon release, ultimately reducing
re-offending and making our communities safer.
CIE has over 140 business-like industries throughout the country and trains over 1800 prisoners in a great variety of industries including forestry, farming, engineering, catering and textiles.
The Colonial Knob Walkway is closed to the public until the walkway upgrade is complete which is expected to be in late November, depending upon weather conditions.
ENDS
For further information contact the Communications Service Desk:
Email: commdesk@corrections.govt.nz