2 July
Graduations from vocational training courses have been a regular occurrence at Northland Region Corrections Facility over the past fortnight, with prisoners undertaking horticulture, carpentry and forestry study with Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE) all being presented with National Certificates.
A recent carpentry graduation saw all 15 prisoners who embarked on the course graduate at the end with their Level 2 National Certificate in Carpentry.
“We’ve had some great successes in our vocational training recently,” says CIE Northland Area Operations Manager Don Robertson. “Out of that carpentry class, not only did we have 100 per cent completion, we also had three prisoners that achieved over and above what they set out to do and were awarded with their Level 4 Certificate as well.
“The effort being put in by the staff to help these prisoners achieve their qualifications is outstanding,” says Don.
“Our Horticulture course graduated last week with eight prisoners gaining their Level 2 National Certificates, and three prisoners gaining Level 4. These guys have learnt some great skills, for example how to prepare and grow a garden, and how to raise and care for plants from vegetables to natives.
“This qualification not only gives them a good chance of finding work in the horticulture industry, it also teaches them skills that can help them feed their families on release.
“In addition to this we’ve also had a graduation from the forestry course we’re running. Four prisoners have gained their Level 2 National Certificate.
“When you consider that the majority of prisoners have limited education or work experience when they come to prison, it puts these achievements in perspective.
“We’re equipping these men to find work on their release, and giving them a chance to build a better life,” says Don.
Research shows that prisoners who are able to find sustainable work on release are less likely to reoffend.
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