Glen Innes Correctional Centre (Proof)

Hansard & Papers » Legislative Assembly » 7 May 2009 » Full Day Hansard Transcript » Item 39 of 39
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Speakers - Torbay Mr Richard
Business - Private Members Statements, PRIV

GLEN INNES CORRECTIONAL CENTRE
Page: 78

Mr RICHARD TORBAY (Northern Tablelands—Speaker) [6.22 p.m.]: Recently I visited the Glen Innes Correctional Centre, which is a model for the rest of the State. It is an innovative facility where the male prisoners interact easily with staff and each other, learn skills, are exposed to learning opportunities and are assisted to find work using their acquired skills when they have completed their sentences. As well as a beautiful setting the centre offers a homelike atmosphere with small residential huts that are largely self-catering and access to training at the sawmill, the recycling plant, the kitchen, the commercial vegetable garden, the restoration of old machinery and community work. In the computer laboratory they can build their literacy and numeracy skills through special programs. Some inmates come to the centre with very poor literacy and numeracy. Other inmates with more advanced skills can take bridging courses to prepare for tertiary studies. A number of successful programs involve the University of New England where inmates have undertaken preliminary courses at the centre and then moved on to study on campus at the end of their sentences.

The centre was established in 1928 as the Mount Mitchell Afforestation Camp, comprising approximately 3,500 acres, not far from Glen Innes on the Grafton Highway. Accommodation was provided for 52 offenders with previous convictions as well as selected prisoners convicted in the northern districts of the State. Now the Glen Innes Correctional Centre houses up to 150 minimum-security inmates. The extent of the activities at the centre is remarkable. It has embraced environmental sustainability through measures including establishing earthworm farms to consume the centre's green, vegetable and shredded paper waste. Start-up kits are now being supplied to other correctional centres throughout the State. The ban on burning sawmill waste has resulted in the production of mulch sold as a water-wise garden product on the commercial market. Action has been taken to ensure no leaching of waste materials from the sawmill into the local creek. The centre has assisted also in the removal of feral cattle, feral cats and invasive weeds threatening the local environment.

Inmates employed at the Community Project Nursery collect seeds and cuttings from local native trees and grasses. These are propagated and donated within the community to support biodiversity. The centre has a recycling program to reduce landfill and an effective stormwater management plan. A transfer station manages all centre waste. It also has programs in place for pesticide, chemical and air quality management. The centre's Agriculture Business Unit reprocesses sawmill waste into potting mixes and landscape materials that are sold commercially. Currently, building construction works are underway to complete two accommodation units for 18 additional inmates. The work is being conducted in-house, training inmates in those new skills.

The major employer within the centre is the sawmill and under current plans the number of positions will increase from 65 to 100. To achieve this the centre has applied to Forests New South Wales for a log allocation increase from 15,000 to 25,000 green metric tonnes. For some time the Department of Corrective Services has been developing new markets for its products in line with the proposed log allocation increase. This has involved modifying its milling practices and sourcing the latest technology in sawmilling to ensure an appropriate response based, of course, on advice from Forests New South Wales. Over the past 80 years the department has developed a strong working relationship with Forests New South Wales, which has seen the sawmill become the major focus within the centre. The centre needs this increased log allocation to offer sufficient employment to inmates, to purchase up-to-date equipment and to meet current occupational health and safety regulations. It would also lessen operating costs and waste.

The updated equipment would enable inmates to undertake Certificate III in Sawmilling traineeships, making it more likely for them to find work after release. It is well established that inmates who have received a combination of basic education and relevant vocational education are less likely to return to custody after they have served their terms. As well, Forests New South Wales plans to liquidate the Mount Topper and Copeton State Forest areas in the Inverell area. Corrective Services has requested these be transferred to establish a satellite work centre aligned to the Glen Innes facility. This centre would enable inmates to engage in silviculture traineeships, plantation management and community projects. I urge the Minister for Primary Industries to make a formal commitment to these initiatives to progress the inspiring work and rehabilitation of inmates at the Glen Innes Correctional Centre.

Question—That private members' statements be noted—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Private members' statements noted.
The House adjourned, pursuant to sessional orders, at 6.28 p.m. until
Friday 8 May 2009 at 10.00 a.m.
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