QLD PRISONERS DEVELOPING SKILLS IN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PRISON INDUSTRIES
Published Thursday, 23 August, 2007 at 03:16 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
Industries in Queensland prisons are generating around $11 million annually, and allowing inmates the chance to develop new skills for use in the outside world, Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said today.
Launching a brochure highlighting the variety of prison industries, Ms Spence said the work being carried out by inmates generated benefits for the community, corrective services and the offenders themselves.
“I’ve seen a lot of this work first hand during my visits to prisons around the state and I have been very impressed at the standard of workmanship being carried out,” Ms Spence said.
“More than 3,000 of Queensland’s prisoners are currently working in this wide range of commercial and service industries, including furnishing and carpentry, agriculture, automotives, metal fabrication, hospitality and textiles.
“Many of these prisoners are able to gain nationally accredited qualifications associated with their industry participation, up to and including Certificate 3, under the Vocational Education and Training (VET) scheme.”
Ms Spence said more than 50% of Queensland’s prison population was unemployed at the time of their arrest, and more than 70% of inmates have an educational level of grade ten or below.
“Research shows unemployment and lack of education can have a major impact on the likelihood of re-offending,” Ms Spence said.
“Industry work and training allows prisoners to develop new skills and establish a work ethic that will increase their chances of employment upon release and therefore reduce the risk of recidivism.
“Combined with Corrective Services’ Post Release Employment Assistance Program (PREAP), the prison-based Vocational Education and Training (VET) has been found to decrease the rate of return to prison by 13.8%.”
“This government recognises the importance of these initiatives, and that’s why we provided $1.9 Million for the PREAP program in 2006-07, and $3.2 Million for VET.”
“We have also committed to spend $11.3 Million over the next four years, to continue to expand prison industries and the 12 hour operational day across all centres in Queensland – ensuring we continue to deliver future employment prospects for our prisoners.”
“The Prison Water Tank Program announced earlier this year is a prime example of how prisoners are helping to deliver a product the community needs, while developing skills that will be in high demand when they are released from prison.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287
Launching a brochure highlighting the variety of prison industries, Ms Spence said the work being carried out by inmates generated benefits for the community, corrective services and the offenders themselves.
“I’ve seen a lot of this work first hand during my visits to prisons around the state and I have been very impressed at the standard of workmanship being carried out,” Ms Spence said.
“More than 3,000 of Queensland’s prisoners are currently working in this wide range of commercial and service industries, including furnishing and carpentry, agriculture, automotives, metal fabrication, hospitality and textiles.
“Many of these prisoners are able to gain nationally accredited qualifications associated with their industry participation, up to and including Certificate 3, under the Vocational Education and Training (VET) scheme.”
Ms Spence said more than 50% of Queensland’s prison population was unemployed at the time of their arrest, and more than 70% of inmates have an educational level of grade ten or below.
“Research shows unemployment and lack of education can have a major impact on the likelihood of re-offending,” Ms Spence said.
“Industry work and training allows prisoners to develop new skills and establish a work ethic that will increase their chances of employment upon release and therefore reduce the risk of recidivism.
“Combined with Corrective Services’ Post Release Employment Assistance Program (PREAP), the prison-based Vocational Education and Training (VET) has been found to decrease the rate of return to prison by 13.8%.”
“This government recognises the importance of these initiatives, and that’s why we provided $1.9 Million for the PREAP program in 2006-07, and $3.2 Million for VET.”
“We have also committed to spend $11.3 Million over the next four years, to continue to expand prison industries and the 12 hour operational day across all centres in Queensland – ensuring we continue to deliver future employment prospects for our prisoners.”
“The Prison Water Tank Program announced earlier this year is a prime example of how prisoners are helping to deliver a product the community needs, while developing skills that will be in high demand when they are released from prison.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218/ 0439 673 287