A team of 10 minimum-security inmates from Wellington Correctional Centre has donated close to 4500 hours to community projects in the past financial year.
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The prison provides inmates with the opportunity to assist with projects required by a number of local organisations including Dubbo Regional Council, Wellington Race Club and Wellington Caves Complex.
Corrective Services NSW community projects overseer Tim Parker said the program began in June last year and continued to evolve and grow.
“The projects provide inmates with the opportunity to learn valuable skills and work ethic as well as enable the offenders to make a contribution to the community,” Mr Parker said.
“Inmates gain a sense of self-respect and connectedness to the community through the work.
“March was our busiest month in the past financial year with 642 hours of work undertaken by our team.
“April was not far behind with 555 hours.”
Rubbish removal, mowing and spot cleaning in the Wellington township was one of the recent projects undertaken by the team.
In Cameron, Pioneer and Kennard parks the team tackled rubbish removal and preparation for concreting for the Memorial to the Victims of Domestic Violence.
Local churches received a spruce-up with mowing and gardening undertaken.
Team members rolled up their sleeves at Wellington Race Club, painting, cleaning and doing venue preparation for large events, removal of old fencing and clean-up after events.
River reserves benefited from rubbish removal and mowing.
At the Wellington Caves Complex the team undertook the removal of old lighting, relocation of a lizard display, weed control, maintenance of pathways, laying of bluestone in garden beds and the car park area and removal of old water mains.
Wellington Golf Club was given a helping hand with storm and flood debris clean-up, gardening and mowing.
The team helped at Mount Arthur Reserve Track with maintenance, shelter repairs and removal of old fencing and at Wellington Information and Neighbourhood Services with cleaning sheds.
Overseer Tim Parker said their team frequently receives positive feedback from the local community.
“I love the work I do so receiving letters of appreciation is a great reward,” Mr Parker said.
“It’s wonderful to see the results and satisfaction from everyone involved.”
