6 August
The effort made by offenders on community work sentences has received praise from a Christchurch school.
Community Probation & Psychological Services Christchurch Area Manager Nick Scott says offenders on community work sentences provided a wide range of assistance to Woolston School.
“The offenders undertook a number of tasks to help the school, including clearing rubbish, painting over graffiti, tidying walkways, painting the sandpit and shade house, laid bark and painted the playground area and prepared the pool area for the swimming season.
“In addition the offenders removed the old garden areas and replaced them with new gardens, prepared and painted the interior of the school hall, plus many other tasks.”
The work being done at the school has clearly been appreciated, with Woolston School Principal Janeane Reid writing a letter of thanks, which stated that the school looked far better due to the work of the offenders.
“The offenders' behaviour was always appropriate in all situations and both staff and students were very impressed at the difference the team has made. We pass on our huge appreciation for the work that has been done to improve our school environment.”
Nick said community work offenders had provided assistance to a number of schools, kindergartens and learning centers in the Christchurch area.
“Community work sentences require offenders to do unpaid work in the community for non-profit organisations as reparation for their offending. Providing assistance to help local schools is one such way work done by offenders can benefit the community.”
Nick says that while the schools themselves benefit from the work, it also serves a valuable purpose for the offenders involved.
“Community work is also a practical way to help offenders learn new skills and work habits, this can assist with getting future employment which has been shown to greatly reduce the chances of further offending.”
Offenders on community work were heavily supervised and that staff considered a range of factors before determining the type of community work project an individual offender would undertake.
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