Working Prisons Not New

Prisoners doing a full day’s work is nothing new, but National is pretending it’s had an innovative idea to get prisoners working, says New Zealand First.

“New Zealanders should not be fooled by National’s attempts to embellish their efforts in the prison sector. The concept of ‘working prisons’ is not new. A full schedule of jobs has always been a part of prisoner rehabilitation,” says Spokesperson for Corrections Asenati Lole-Taylor.

“Inmates at Mt Eden Prison in Auckland have produced rubbish bags, which gave taxpayers, communities, victims and their families the benefit of purchasing the product more cheaply.

“Last year, a project started to move earthquake damaged homes to Rolleston Prison so inmates could repair them.

“In prisons like Paremoremo and Spring Hill Correctional Facility there is a full range of employment activities like kitchen, laundry and grounds maintenance duties.

“Paremoremo prison has a pre-cast concrete yard where prisoners can earn NZQA qualifications.

“Horticultural nurseries, trades and carpentry have been part of routine prison activities for many years, but the government has never taken the opportunity to fulfil the true intention and potential of these initiatives.

“The Government has no shame in pretending they have achieved something because it’s an election year.

“Working prisons are not a breakthrough innovation – it’s simply common sense,” says Mrs Lole-Taylor.

ENDS

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