Published Friday, 21 November, 2008 at 05:32 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
More prisoners mobilised for storms and flooding clean-up
Work camp prisoners are travelling from Rockhampton tomorrow to join in the storms and flooding clean-up efforts underway in Rosewood, Ipswich and Brisbane.
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport Judy Spence said the 22 Capricornia Correctional Centre low-risk prisoners and two supervising officers had been diverted from regular duties at Springsure and Blackall work camps in central Queensland.
“They will be temporarily located at Darling Downs Correctional Centre each night and work under the direction of flood relief coordinators in each area,” she said.
“A further five prisoners and a correctional supervisor were deployed from Darling Downs Correctional Centre today to help remove debris from fences and do sandbagging in Rosewood.
“They have responded to a call from SES personnel after the town was inundated, with more than 300mm of rain falling since Wednesday night.
“The crew will continue to work in Rosewood as long as they are required,” Ms Spence said.
“A crew of 13 female prisoners and a supervisor from Warwick women’s work camp will today travel to Ipswich to assist with sandbagging at the Ipswich SES headquarters.
“We now have more than 30 prisoners in the field working and a similar number on standby awaiting instructions from emergency personnel.
Fifteen prisoners and three supervisors, also from Toowoomba’s Darling Downs Correctional Centre, continue to clean up debris in the Keperra area following last Sunday’s storm.
The low-risk prisoners have worked alongside emergency services staff, the army, police, community members and volunteers since Tuesday as part of the massive emergency clean-up effort in Brisbane’s northern suburbs.
The crew are today working with council staff and four pick-up trucks to help with the clean-up effort in local parks and streets in Keperra.
“We have more low-risk work camp prisoners – both male and female – on standby should emergency service authorities need further help,” Ms Spence said.
“More storm activity is predicted for Saturday, so Queensland Corrective Services’ officers and prisoners will be ready to go where they are needed.
“I have visited some of our crews in the field and spoken with staff and prisoners and they are keen to stay and help local communities in any way they can.
“Some of these crews are very experienced emergency relief workers having served in Innisfail after Cyclone Larry and in storm and flood clean-ups earlier this year in Mackay, Beaudesert, Emerald and Charleville.
“Our work crews have a proven track record of getting in and getting the job done.
“Staff and prisoners get a lot out of this type of work and it gives prisoners an opportunity to give something back to the community,” Ms Spence said.
All prisoners are carefully assessed before being eligible for work camp duty. Prisoners with sexual offending backgrounds are not eligible to participate in the Work camp program.
Last financial year, work camp prisoners contributed an estimated $1.5 million worth of labour to rural communities.
Media contact: 3239 6218
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport Judy Spence said the 22 Capricornia Correctional Centre low-risk prisoners and two supervising officers had been diverted from regular duties at Springsure and Blackall work camps in central Queensland.
“They will be temporarily located at Darling Downs Correctional Centre each night and work under the direction of flood relief coordinators in each area,” she said.
“A further five prisoners and a correctional supervisor were deployed from Darling Downs Correctional Centre today to help remove debris from fences and do sandbagging in Rosewood.
“They have responded to a call from SES personnel after the town was inundated, with more than 300mm of rain falling since Wednesday night.
“The crew will continue to work in Rosewood as long as they are required,” Ms Spence said.
“A crew of 13 female prisoners and a supervisor from Warwick women’s work camp will today travel to Ipswich to assist with sandbagging at the Ipswich SES headquarters.
“We now have more than 30 prisoners in the field working and a similar number on standby awaiting instructions from emergency personnel.
Fifteen prisoners and three supervisors, also from Toowoomba’s Darling Downs Correctional Centre, continue to clean up debris in the Keperra area following last Sunday’s storm.
The low-risk prisoners have worked alongside emergency services staff, the army, police, community members and volunteers since Tuesday as part of the massive emergency clean-up effort in Brisbane’s northern suburbs.
The crew are today working with council staff and four pick-up trucks to help with the clean-up effort in local parks and streets in Keperra.
“We have more low-risk work camp prisoners – both male and female – on standby should emergency service authorities need further help,” Ms Spence said.
“More storm activity is predicted for Saturday, so Queensland Corrective Services’ officers and prisoners will be ready to go where they are needed.
“I have visited some of our crews in the field and spoken with staff and prisoners and they are keen to stay and help local communities in any way they can.
“Some of these crews are very experienced emergency relief workers having served in Innisfail after Cyclone Larry and in storm and flood clean-ups earlier this year in Mackay, Beaudesert, Emerald and Charleville.
“Our work crews have a proven track record of getting in and getting the job done.
“Staff and prisoners get a lot out of this type of work and it gives prisoners an opportunity to give something back to the community,” Ms Spence said.
All prisoners are carefully assessed before being eligible for work camp duty. Prisoners with sexual offending backgrounds are not eligible to participate in the Work camp program.
Last financial year, work camp prisoners contributed an estimated $1.5 million worth of labour to rural communities.
Media contact: 3239 6218