Inmates learn while repaying debt

The program aims to give the inmates skills such as teamwork and certificates in construction and workplace safety in order to help them transition back into work life in the community.

Over the school holidays six inmates involved in the Community Projects Unit worked on the renewal of play areas in schools including Huskisson Public School before the start of the semester.

South Coast Correctional Centre community projects overseer Robert Duff said since the program began three years ago, the benefits for the community and inmates have been evident.

“Our responsibilities have grown to include about 65 sites covering five local councils including Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Shellharbour, Kiama and Wingecarribee. It’s about helping the community and giving something back,” he said.

“From the time I’ve been involved in the program I’ve worked with around 40 inmates and to my knowledge only two of those have reoffended.

“The idea of the program is to hopefully see change in these fellows through the program and have them leave as better individuals.”

Work includes concreting, demolition work, building maintenance, garden maintenance, painting and construction. 

Last year crews of up to six inmates at each site gave $85,000 worth of free labour to the community, contributing a total of 5000 work hours.

The unit’s major projects in 2014 included maintenance work at various schools including, Sisters of the Abbey in Jamberoo, Killalea State Park, Southern Regions Councils Illegal Dumping Initiative and painting at Burrill Lake Community Hall.

“It’s been fantastic. At the end of the day the inmates get so much out it,” Mr Duff said.

“We are out from Monday to Friday. They really enjoy going out every day and the time goes a lot quicker working than it does sitting around in the yard.

“They get to chat and see different people.”

Mr Duff said community organisations and schools were very supportive of the work done by inmates and often handed out certificates of appreciation after the completion of a project.

“It’s very satisfying to see the positive effect our work is having on the local community and how appreciative they are,” he said.

All inmates participating in the Community Projects Unit must have a minimum classification.

They must show good behaviour throughout their sentence and are often people who have been charged with a lesser driving or drug related offences.

“They are hand selected for the program,” Mr Duff said.

“It runs for six months and is generally for those heading toward the end of their sentence with less than a year to serve.”