Published Tuesday, 27 November, 2007 at 05:14 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Spence Inspects Prison-made Water Tanks at Woodford
Corrective Services Minister, Judy Spence today inspected the first batch of water tanks manufactured by offenders at the Woodford Correctional Centre.
Ms Spence said the tank manufacturing project was helping to provide offenders with on the job training and skills, for use in an area of skills shortage when they are released back into the community.
“Water tank manufacturers have told us there is a massive skills shortage in their industry and this project will give prisoners vital skills they can use when they leave prison,” Ms Spence said.
“60 offenders have already under-gone training and are participating in this particular prison industry, with 120 more offenders to under-go training and commence employment in the water tank manufacturing workshops once they reach full production capacity.
“The two companies involved in this project, Linpac Rotational Mouldings Pty Ltd and Slimline Rainwater Tanks Pty Ltd, now propose to make more tanks than the government’s original proposal of 50 tanks per week – aiming for a new total of up to 330 water tanks per week once fully operational.
“So far, nine Linpac polyethylene water tanks and 27 Slimline metal tanks have been produced, to fill existing orders.”
Ms Spence said Woodford Correctional Centre was also introducing a “structured day” for its prisoner population.
“This allows prison industries to operate seven days a week with a morning and afternoon shift in operation to produce water tanks,” Ms Spence said.
“Implementation of the structured day will also mean that prisoners only work one shift per day, which provides employment opportunities for more prisoners. Importantly, this also enables prisoners to undertake programs or other activities that promote rehabilitation in addition to gaining employment skills.
“We know that getting a job is a critical step in breaking the re-offending cycle and helping offenders get their lives back on track, so this is an important step in ridding our communities of crime.
“We currently have an average of more than 1200 prisoners per day, employed in different commercial prison industries in Queensland Correctional Centres, and this project is creating around 180 extra prison jobs in total.”
Ms Spence said the production of the water tanks is not having an impact on the existing workforce of either company and will not create serious competition to other water tank manufacturers.
“The companies who won the tenders had been looking to expand their production to meet demand, but struggling with the skills shortage,” Ms Spence said.
“This project is allowing us to address a need in the Queensland community, while increasing the overall employment opportunities at Woodford Correctional Centre to 450 jobs.
“Other prisoners currently working in the Woodford industries workshops are manufacturing pool fencing, aluminium frames for motor home seats, television cabinets, street swags for the homeless, and rescue mannequins for flying doctor and police training.
“All of these industries provide prisoners with valuable skills for life outside the razor wire, and help to address areas of need for production in our society.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 3239 6172/ 0439 673 287
Ms Spence said the tank manufacturing project was helping to provide offenders with on the job training and skills, for use in an area of skills shortage when they are released back into the community.
“Water tank manufacturers have told us there is a massive skills shortage in their industry and this project will give prisoners vital skills they can use when they leave prison,” Ms Spence said.
“60 offenders have already under-gone training and are participating in this particular prison industry, with 120 more offenders to under-go training and commence employment in the water tank manufacturing workshops once they reach full production capacity.
“The two companies involved in this project, Linpac Rotational Mouldings Pty Ltd and Slimline Rainwater Tanks Pty Ltd, now propose to make more tanks than the government’s original proposal of 50 tanks per week – aiming for a new total of up to 330 water tanks per week once fully operational.
“So far, nine Linpac polyethylene water tanks and 27 Slimline metal tanks have been produced, to fill existing orders.”
Ms Spence said Woodford Correctional Centre was also introducing a “structured day” for its prisoner population.
“This allows prison industries to operate seven days a week with a morning and afternoon shift in operation to produce water tanks,” Ms Spence said.
“Implementation of the structured day will also mean that prisoners only work one shift per day, which provides employment opportunities for more prisoners. Importantly, this also enables prisoners to undertake programs or other activities that promote rehabilitation in addition to gaining employment skills.
“We know that getting a job is a critical step in breaking the re-offending cycle and helping offenders get their lives back on track, so this is an important step in ridding our communities of crime.
“We currently have an average of more than 1200 prisoners per day, employed in different commercial prison industries in Queensland Correctional Centres, and this project is creating around 180 extra prison jobs in total.”
Ms Spence said the production of the water tanks is not having an impact on the existing workforce of either company and will not create serious competition to other water tank manufacturers.
“The companies who won the tenders had been looking to expand their production to meet demand, but struggling with the skills shortage,” Ms Spence said.
“This project is allowing us to address a need in the Queensland community, while increasing the overall employment opportunities at Woodford Correctional Centre to 450 jobs.
“Other prisoners currently working in the Woodford industries workshops are manufacturing pool fencing, aluminium frames for motor home seats, television cabinets, street swags for the homeless, and rescue mannequins for flying doctor and police training.
“All of these industries provide prisoners with valuable skills for life outside the razor wire, and help to address areas of need for production in our society.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 3239 6172/ 0439 673 287