Procedure - Use of Prisoner Labour for Community Benefit within a High Security Corrective Services Facility

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Purpose
1.	Process
2.	Use of prisoner labour for community benefit
3.	Project types
4.	Supply of materials and consumables
5.	Management of risk
6.	Application process
6.1	Submission of application
6.2	Role of the general manager
7.	Determination of project approval
8.	Project Implementation

Purpose

To provide for the use of prisoner labour and departmental resources in a high security facility when undertaking projects for community benefit.

1. Process

The decision to allow the use of prisoner labour in a high security facility for community benefit will be made by the Executive Director, Custodial Operations following a submission from a community organisation and endorsement by the general manager of the corrective services facility at which the project would be undertaken.

Each case will be assessed on its individual merits which must at a minimum consider the impact of the project on centre operations and the potential community benefit.

2. Use of prisoner labour for community benefit

Prisoner labour for community benefit must only be permitted if the prisoner voluntarily consents.

3. Project types

The work must be able to be undertaken in limited space and the manufacturing process able to be disrupted if necessitated by operational needs.

Only low risk projects which are considered to have limited product liability will be considered by the Department. For example-

The Department may consider an application for the use of prisoner labour to produce corkboards that will be provided for the use of a specific individual with a low risk of harm to the individual. The Department will not consider the use of prisoner labour for the production of children's playground equipment which may be used by multiple persons and pose a moderate to high user risk.

Projects should not require the use of toxic or flammable substances. The use of such substances may be considered but only after the written approval of the Executive Director, Custodial Operations.

Projects must not have a negative impact on local community industry and employment.

4. Supply of materials and consumables

Materials and consumable items required for the undertaking of the project must be supplied by the community organisation requesting the use of prisoner labour. A corrective services facility will contribute prisoner supervisory staff and basic utilities of electricity and water to assist the project.

5. Management of risk

The Department will not accept liability for the loss, damage or destruction of materials or consumables provided by the community organisation for the purpose of the project.

6. Application process

6.1 Submission of application

A community organisation must submit a completed administrative form - Application for the Use of Prisoner Labour for Community Benefit and supporting documents to the general manager of the respective corrective services facility. The application must clearly identify-

1. the intent and scope of the use of prisoner labour;
2. the recipient of the product of prisoner labour;
3. manufacturing requirements for the project;
4. all materials and consumable items that will be provided for the project;
5. the estimated completion time for the project;
6. factors which indicate the project work proposed to be undertaken will not negatively impact on local community industry and employment.

6.2 Role of the general manager

The general manager of a corrective services facility must consider an application and make a recommendation to the Executive Director, Custodial Operations. The recommendation must include confirmation of the following-

1. prisoner labour will be on a voluntary basis and will not be remunerated;
2. the recipient of the product of prisoner labour is a not for profit organisation;
3. the project has broad community benefit;
4. the project will not have a negative impact on facility operations, in particular the functioning of its industries area;
5. there will be no cost impact of material or consumables to the facility;
6. there will be no negative impact on local community industry and employment; and
7. the project is low risk.

7. Determination of project approval

The Executive Director, Custodial Operations must approve an application considering the endorsement by the general manager of the corrective services facility at which the project would be undertaken.

When considering a submission the Executive Director, Custodial Operations may request a suitably qualified person to assess the case and make a recommendation.

The Executive Director, Custodial Operations must maintain a register of all applications submitted for approval.

8. Project Implementation

The Department takes no responsibility for the project being completed.

F P Rockett
Director-General

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