Dr LIM - 1999-02-23
I recently had a party of low-security prisoners, under the watchful eye of Russell Naismith, repaint a fence that had been subject to heavy graffiti along Chewings Street in my electorate. The cost of the paint was shared equally between Ross Park Primary School, Eastside Foodland and me. Can he give me further feedback on the use of low-security prisoners on community-based projects around Alice Springs, and whether the program is going to be expanded in any way?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, taking the second part of the question first, Correctional Services this week has expanded the community support program into Tennant Creek. That followed a number of public meetings and meetings with police and the Tennant Creek Town Council to identify issues and projects which could be undertaken in Tennant Creek. Those projects include the removal of rubbish around the town, the cleaning up of various areas, and a number of others that have been identified by the Tennant Creek Town Council as being suitable for work by these community support program teams.
During the course of the program, since 1997, the behaviour of prisoners in the outside working parties has generally been excellent. We have received wide community support, both in Darwin and Alice Springs, for this program. Recently I received a letter from the general manager of CATIA, thanking us for the work these teams have put in on the road verges around Alice Springs and cleaning up the Stuart Highway.
This government recognises the need to put these prisoners to work. As I said, the program is well supported in the community, but it is also well received by the prisoners themselves. It gives them an opportunity to work outside and to put something back into the community. Those prisoners do put peer pressure on other prisoners to behave themselves and to keep some good form of discipline while outside. This government will continue with these programs and will be talking to other town and community councils and community groups to see if we can identify suitable projects for these prisoners to be employed on.
As I said, we have commenced operations in Tennant Creek. I am sure those operations will be welcomed not only by the town council and by the people of Tennant Creek, but certainly by the member for Barkly.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, taking the second part of the question first, Correctional Services this week has expanded the community support program into Tennant Creek. That followed a number of public meetings and meetings with police and the Tennant Creek Town Council to identify issues and projects which could be undertaken in Tennant Creek. Those projects include the removal of rubbish around the town, the cleaning up of various areas, and a number of others that have been identified by the Tennant Creek Town Council as being suitable for work by these community support program teams.
During the course of the program, since 1997, the behaviour of prisoners in the outside working parties has generally been excellent. We have received wide community support, both in Darwin and Alice Springs, for this program. Recently I received a letter from the general manager of CATIA, thanking us for the work these teams have put in on the road verges around Alice Springs and cleaning up the Stuart Highway.
This government recognises the need to put these prisoners to work. As I said, the program is well supported in the community, but it is also well received by the prisoners themselves. It gives them an opportunity to work outside and to put something back into the community. Those prisoners do put peer pressure on other prisoners to behave themselves and to keep some good form of discipline while outside. This government will continue with these programs and will be talking to other town and community councils and community groups to see if we can identify suitable projects for these prisoners to be employed on.
As I said, we have commenced operations in Tennant Creek. I am sure those operations will be welcomed not only by the town council and by the people of Tennant Creek, but certainly by the member for Barkly.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016