PERMANENT PRISONER WORK CAMP TO BE SET UP IN INNISFAIL

Premier Peter Beattie has announced the state government will establish a permanent prisoner work camp in Innisfail to provide community service work in the area.

It follows the highly successful use of prisoner labour to help rebuild the area after Cyclone Larry hit in March.

Mr Beattie said the government would spend $3 million over the next four years to establish and run the new permanent prisoner work camp.

“Since March, low risk prisoners have provided more than 5000 hours of assistance from two temporary support camps established in Innisfail and Malanda,” Mr Beattie said.

“These prisoners have assisted local communities that were devastated by the cyclone by helping remove large trees, debris and destroyed building structures,” Mr Beattie said.

Minister for Communities and Disability Services and Member for Mulgrave Warren Pitt said the prisoners had removed up to 20 large tip truck loads of debris from Innisfail alone.

“In Malanda they performed general clean up duties and repaired fences to ensure livestock did not wander into national parks and forests,” Mr Pitt said.

“A community advisory committee will be established to identify the type of work and activities the prisoners will work on in the Innisfail area, in consultation with the local council.

“Queensland Corrective Services will work with the council to locate an appropriate site for the camp.

“This is a permanent camp and is expected to have 12 prisoners and one staff member, which is similar to other work camps,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Beattie said the prisoner work camp concept began 15 years ago, when prisoners assisted in the clean up after the Charleville flood.

“There are currently 12 permanent prison camp sites in Queensland and these contribute the equivalent of around $1 million per year in labour costs to rural and regional towns,” Mr Beattie said.

“The project is one of the most successful inmate rehabilitation programs in Queensland - indeed, anywhere in the world.

“The prisoner work camps provide a positive correctional experience that gives low-risk inmates important opportunities to make reparation to the community while developing skills and a work ethic.

“Prisoners are assessed for their suitability to work in the community before being allowed to join a prison camp.”

Mr Beattie said prisoners with violent or sexual offending backgrounds were not eligible to participate in the program, and said there had been no significant breaches of security or behaviour by prison camp offenders in the 15 years since the program started.

Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500

Mr Pitt’s office 3235 4286

29 December 2006