28 November
The first prisoner-made e-learning centre built at the Spring Hill Corrections Facility (SHCF) construction yard was transported to the rural school of Glen Massey yesterday.
Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE) Business Development Manager Win McDonald says four prisoners assisted with building the centre from the foundation up in just under two months.
“Our partner PLB Construction Group won the tender to build a new e-learning centre for the school and they provided prisoners with the opportunity to build the centre under their guidance.
“The project has enabled the prisoners to learn valuable trade skills including lighting, ventilation, improving energy efficiency and creating healthy buildings while students from Glen Massey School will now be able to benefit from the increased learning space.”
Win says the centre is an extension of the refurbishment work currently being completed for Housing New Zealand at the building construction facility at SHCF.
“The facility was opened four months ago after a contract was negotiated with Housing New Zealand for prisoners to refurbish state houses. The facility includes an outdoor refurbishment yard and a components workshop located within the prison which will eventually train over 90 prisoners in building construction trades.
“The contract with Housing New Zealand requires us to refurbish around 40 state houses a year. We have nine instructors who teach prisoners trade skills in painting, plastering, electricity, carpentry, plumbing, painting and timber joinery.”
Research shows that prisoners who find sustainable employment on release are less likely to re-offend. The last prison census showed that 55 per cent of prisoners did not have a job before entering prison and 52 per cent had no formal qualifications.
CIE assess market trends to identify industries with skill shortages within the geographical areas that prisoners are likely to be released. CIE then provides training and employment opportunities within these types of sectors to upskill prisoners.
If you have a business opportunity that you believe CIE can help you with, please contact: cie.worktraining@corrections.govt.nz.
ENDS
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