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Media Statements

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Thursday, 20 August, 2009

Prisoner work camps awarded during St George conference


Darling Downs Correctional Centre General Manager Bernie Kruhse addresses the conference with, from left, QCS Commissioner Kelvin Anderson, Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre General Manager Tamara Gacesa and Capricornia Correctional Centre General Manager Andrew Pike

Typical day-to-day Work Camp projects under construction in regional Queensland in the past year

QCS Commissioner Kelvin Anderson, left, presents the Bunny Powne Perpetual Trophy for Best Capital Works Project to Charleville CAC representative George Donohue

The contribution by corrective services staff and prisoners to communities in regional Queensland was recognised at the 18th Annual Work Camp Awards held in St George last night (Thursday August 20).

The awards were presented to work camps in four categories during the 18th Annual Work Camp Conference held in St George on August 19 and 20.

Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Kelvin Anderson said for the first time Recognition Awards were also presented in three of the four categories.

“This reflects the high quality of work done by Work Camp prisoners during the past year,” he said.

“That work included disaster relief efforts in the wake of a wild storm that ravaged Brisbane’s northern suburbs in November last year.

“Work Camp prisoners also helped in the cleanup of Ingham following devastating floods there in February this year and the oil spill cleanup on Sunshine Coast beaches in March this year.”

Mr Anderson said Work camps had contributed about 96,400 hours of labour valued at almost $1.5 million to community service projects in the past year.

“This is one of the most successful prisoner rehabilitation programs in Queensland,” he said.

“Low-risk prisoners gain a sense of social responsibility by making a positive contribution to society while developing new skills and a work ethic.

“Regional communities also benefit from the completion of projects that otherwise would not get done.”

Mr Anderson said Work camps had strengthened the relationship between Queensland Corrective Services and regional communities and councils.

“Suitable projects are identified in consultation with community advisory committees,” he said.

“These committees – made up of council, local police and community representatives – play an important role in the success of Work camps.

“Their assistance and guidance is appreciated by Corrective Services field supervisors who manage the day-to-day activities of each camp.”

Representatives from 12 shire councils, Work Community Advisory Committee members and senior executives from Queensland Corrective Services attended the conference.

Winners of the Work Camp Awards

The top award, the Bunny Powne Perpetual trophy for Best Capital Works Project, went to Charleville Work Camp for the Charleville Racecourse Stable Complex project.

From January to July 2009, Charleville Work Camp prisoners completed almost 1200 hours of work at the Charleville Racecourse Stable Complex.

Using their skills in welding, concreting and construction, prisoners built an additional 28 day yards for the stabling of 51 horses, two feed sheds and a round yard.

The new facilities have resulted in additional employment opportunities at the complex, more and better quality horses being nominated for race meetings, an increase in tourism and greater revenue for the racecourse and local council.

The Recognition Award was presented to Winton Work Camp for the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Natural History Museum building construction.

The museum, located near Winton, is a working tourist attraction and education centre.

During the 2008-09 financial year, prisoners contributed almost 1200 hours of work including fencing and the construction of walking tracks, observation decks and amenities.

The award for Most Effective Single Maintenance Project went to Warwick Women’s Work Camp for their maintenance work at the Warwick Showgrounds.

Female prisoners from the Warwick Work Camp completed more than 4900 hours of work at the Warwick Showgrounds during the 2008-09 financial year.

Prisoners completed general maintenance and assisted with the preparation of the showgrounds for events including the Warwick Show, Warwick Rodeo and the Scots PGC College Interschool equestrian event.

Prisoners also provided catering and cleaning assistance and acted as rail jump stewards and scoring assistants during the events.

The Recognition Award was presented to Innisfail Work Camp for their work at the Lakes Nature Reserve in Innisfail.

Almost 3700 hours of prisoner labour was contributed to landscaping and general maintenance at the 100 acre rainforest and gardens reserve.

As part of the project, prisoners are trained in horticulture, and chainsaw and front end loader operation. 

Winners of the Best Contribution to any Community Event or Service award were Boulia Work Camp for their contribution to Boulia’s annual camel races.

About 280 hours of work was completed by six prisoners during the set-up and running of the famous three-day event which attracts international visitors.

Prisoners prepared the camping area, erected marquees and portable yards and repaired and maintained race barriers.

They were also onsite at 3am each day during the event to remove rubbish and prepare the site for the day’s events.

The Recognition Award was presented to St George Work Camp for their work on the St George Heritage Centre.

During the 2008-09 financial year, St George Work Camp prisoners provided 1200 hours of labour to the construction of a blacksmith shop at the centre.

Prisoners used era-appropriate building materials and methods to build a ramp for the disabled and restump the building.

They also repainted and plastered the centre and set up displays. 

Charleville Work Camp won the Best Presented Camp award for the pride taken by prisoners, camp supervisors and the Community Advisory Committee members in the upkeep and presentation of the camp’s grounds.

The award recognised the camp’s extensive landscaping, room tidiness, well maintained work sheds and activities area, new dining room and use of bore water to maintain gardens and lawns.

Winton Work Camp had won the award for the past two years running.

QCS currently operates 13 Work camps which are aligned to local correctional centres.

•       Darling Downs Correctional Centre manages Mitchell, Dirranbandi, Charleville and St George
•       Capricornia Correctional Centre at Rockhampton is aligned with Clermont, Blackall and Springsure
•       Townsville Correctional Centre is linked to Boulia, Julia Creek and Winton and the Bowen Women’s Camp
•       Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre is responsible for the Warwick Women’s Camp
•       Lotus Glen Correctional Centre near Cairns manages the Innisfail Work Camp.

The program, originally known as the Work Outreach Camp (WORC) program, was founded in 1990 when a crew of officers and 100 low-risk prisoners travelled to Charleville to help with the clean-up effort after the region was hit by floods.

Contact:        Ross McSwain 3239 3945  or   0407 657 614



Last updated: 04 September 2009