26 February
The road to release for 18 prisoners at Spring Hill Corrections Facility in Waikato may be paved with employment opportunities following their Civil Construction Roading Certificate graduation.
In conjunction with Industry Training Organisation InfraTrain, the prisoners completed a number of unit standards making up the qualification, which has also been successfully attained by prisoners at Mt Eden Prison and Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility.
During the course, prisoners completed units in first aid, health and safety, traffic control, safe chainsaw use, plate compacting, manual excavation, communication on a civil construction site, and the wheels, tracks and rollers drivers licence endorsement.
Release to Work Case Manager Carol Heke says the prisoners may not be serving sentences for anything to be proud of, but their dedication and hard work now means they can look forward to a better life when they are released from prison.
“The last prison census indicated that 52 per cent of prisoners had no formal qualification before entering prison, and that only 45 per cent had been in paid employment,” says Carol.
“Research has shown that prisoners who find sustainable employment on their release from prison are less likely to reoffend.”
The course provides a springboard for participating in the Release to Work programme – it provides the basic skills that employers are looking for in potential employees, and formalises what they will be learning on the job.
“The Release to Work programme is for prisoners approaching the end of their sentences that may be eligible to engage in employment in the community, with an approved employer, and with a view to maintaining the employment on their release from prison. Prisoners must be low security and meet strict eligibility criteria.”
Prisoners participating in the programme receive market wages, however they are required to pay board, any outstanding fines or court imposed reparation to victims, child support, their own travel to and from work and any tools or clothing required for the job.
Once these expenses are deducted from their earnings, the balance is paid into a savings trust for their use when they are released from prison and their reestablishment into the community.
“The benefit to employers on the Release to Work programme is huge. They can be confident that our management of the process means that they are employing someone who is trained, motivated and dedicated to their job.”
There are currently nine prisoners from the Spring Hill Corrections Facility employed by local businesses participating in the Release to Work programme. The prisoners are working in various industries such as food preparation, construction, engineering, and in road gangs. This number is expected to increase during the year according to Carol.
“We are always looking for local employers interested in being part of the scheme. Anyone who is having difficulties in recruiting suitable staff and wants to assist with making our communities safer by ending the cycle of offending, should get in touch.”
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