6 April
Offenders on Community Work sentences in Wanganui have been doing some hard graft chopping firewood in Waverley.
The offenders are providing assistance to a programme run by the Waverley-Aotea Rotary Club to raise funds for causes such as the people affected by the bushfires in Victoria, books in schools, emergency kits, as well as supporting many individuals and organisations within the district.
For the last few months up to 10 offenders under the supervision of the Department of Corrections have been transported to Waverley where they prepare firewood for distribution.
The offenders have been splitting wood, stacking it in a large shed and have also assisted with distribution of the wood within the community.
Senior Community Work Supervisor Reg Bailey says that it’s satisfying to see the work done by offenders directly benefiting people in need.
“Cutting firewood is hard work, and is often beyond the abilities of older members of the community. For the Department of Corrections it is particularly satisfying to see the labour provided by these offenders making a real difference in people’s lives.”
The Waverley–Aotea Rotary Club has been impressed with the work ethic of those involved saying: “They work hard and they sweat. Their involvement assists the club greatly enabling us to provide support for others. We are very appreciative of their contribution."
The sentence of community work requires offenders to do unpaid work in the community for non-profit organisations as a way of making up for their offending.
Last year New Zealand communities benefited from almost 3 million hours of free labour supplied through community work sentences.
For further information contact the Communications Services Desk:
Copyright © Department of Corrections | Feedback and queries email: webmaster@corrections.govt.nz