More prisoners help Beaudesert flood clean up
Published Friday, 11 January, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
A second team of Darling Downs Correctional Centre Work Camp prisoners has arrived in Beaudesert to assist in the clean-up of the area following severe flooding.
Acting Corrective Services Minister Robert Schwarten said the team was sent in response to a request made by Beaudesert Shire Council Mayor Joy Drescher.
“The team of 12 low-risk prisoners and one supervisor have been redirected from their usual duties at the St George Work Camp due to the large volume of work in the Beaudesert area,” Mr Schwarten said.
“They will be accommodated at the nearby Palen Creek Correctional Centre during their time in the region and will be in the area for as long as their assistance is required.
“A team from the Charleville Work Camp is already in the Beaudesert area working to repair boundary fences on farms to prevent livestock from wandering.
“It is hard work that has to be done by hand. It involves removing mud and debris from the fences, re-erecting fences where possible and rebuilding fences where necessary.
“Many of the people affected are elderly and would not be able to complete the work without the help of the Work Camp prisoners.”
Assistance from Work Camps has been available for more than 15 years, when prisoner labour was used in the clean up after the Charleville floods.
Work Camp prisoners assisted in the rebuilding of Innisfail following Cyclone Larry in 2006.
In 2007 they helped in the clean-up of Tara and St George following severe storms in those towns and low-risk female prisoners at the Warwick Work Camp provided valuable assistance to horse owners affected by the Equine Flu quarantine at the Morgan Park Equestrian Centre.
Prisoners with sexual offending backgrounds are not eligible to participate in the program.
Media Contact: 3239 6218
Acting Corrective Services Minister Robert Schwarten said the team was sent in response to a request made by Beaudesert Shire Council Mayor Joy Drescher.
“The team of 12 low-risk prisoners and one supervisor have been redirected from their usual duties at the St George Work Camp due to the large volume of work in the Beaudesert area,” Mr Schwarten said.
“They will be accommodated at the nearby Palen Creek Correctional Centre during their time in the region and will be in the area for as long as their assistance is required.
“A team from the Charleville Work Camp is already in the Beaudesert area working to repair boundary fences on farms to prevent livestock from wandering.
“It is hard work that has to be done by hand. It involves removing mud and debris from the fences, re-erecting fences where possible and rebuilding fences where necessary.
“Many of the people affected are elderly and would not be able to complete the work without the help of the Work Camp prisoners.”
Assistance from Work Camps has been available for more than 15 years, when prisoner labour was used in the clean up after the Charleville floods.
Work Camp prisoners assisted in the rebuilding of Innisfail following Cyclone Larry in 2006.
In 2007 they helped in the clean-up of Tara and St George following severe storms in those towns and low-risk female prisoners at the Warwick Work Camp provided valuable assistance to horse owners affected by the Equine Flu quarantine at the Morgan Park Equestrian Centre.
Prisoners with sexual offending backgrounds are not eligible to participate in the program.
Media Contact: 3239 6218