1
00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:04,440
Speaker 1: Northern Territory government has committed to an additional ninety six

2
00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:07,720
Speaker 1: beds at NT prisons, as I'm sure you've heard over

3
00:00:07,720 --> 00:00:11,680
Speaker 1: the Christmas period. Now, while inmates have started undertaking vocational

4
00:00:11,800 --> 00:00:14,800
Speaker 1: education training in trades and other areas as we told

5
00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:17,960
Speaker 1: you about a bit earlier in the week, others Interstate

6
00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:20,400
Speaker 1: have been doing it for quite some time and have

7
00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:24,560
Speaker 1: been commissioned to make the modules for Northern Territory jails.

8
00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:26,520
Speaker 1: Now joining me on the line to tell us a

9
00:00:26,560 --> 00:00:29,800
Speaker 1: little bit more about it is Communities and Justice, New

10
00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:35,840
Speaker 1: South Wales External Services Work and Education Director Blake Colmwell,

11
00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:37,320
Speaker 1: good morning to you, Blake.

12
00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:39,000
Speaker 2: Good morning, thank you for having me on.

13
00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:41,600
Speaker 1: Kelly, thank you so much for your time. Now, Blake,

14
00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:44,239
Speaker 1: talk us through the work that New South Wales inmates

15
00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:47,680
Speaker 1: have been doing to make these modules for the Northern Territory.

16
00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:51,159
Speaker 2: Yeah, it's been a really great project and you know,

17
00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:53,640
Speaker 2: start we're saying it's really good to be able to

18
00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:57,880
Speaker 2: assist other jurisdictions and especially providing safe and secure housing

19
00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:01,040
Speaker 2: solutions at such a rapid pace. So we've been working

20
00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:03,800
Speaker 2: on these since July. So we said ninety six bed

21
00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:08,240
Speaker 2: facility with associated our common rooms and officer posts. So

22
00:01:08,319 --> 00:01:12,080
Speaker 2: essentially it's self contained and it's coming along quite well.

23
00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:15,039
Speaker 2: Where got the first nine modules that have arrived now

24
00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:18,440
Speaker 2: over the past few weeks in the nt or Alis specifically,

25
00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:21,160
Speaker 2: and that will continue over the next few months where

26
00:01:21,160 --> 00:01:23,800
Speaker 2: we'll see those buildings on site and ready for installation.

27
00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:26,560
Speaker 1: Is it the first time that you secured a contract

28
00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:29,320
Speaker 1: from the Northern Territory government? It is?

29
00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:33,040
Speaker 2: It is, yes, So we've been doing construction related industries

30
00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:35,640
Speaker 2: for a long time in New South Wales and we

31
00:01:35,920 --> 00:01:38,560
Speaker 2: got in contact with them early last year as they're

32
00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:41,200
Speaker 2: aware that we have deployed these across the number of

33
00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:44,440
Speaker 2: our correctional centers in New South Wales and yeah, we

34
00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:48,640
Speaker 2: come together. Unfortunately, we're able to get this partnership going

35
00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:52,000
Speaker 2: and it's been very promising at the moment and hopefully

36
00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,720
Speaker 2: it'll be something that we really have really good outcomes

37
00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:57,520
Speaker 2: for both New South Wales and Empty.

38
00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:00,320
Speaker 1: Now, we're a pretty parochial kind of bunch here in

39
00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:02,760
Speaker 1: the Northern Territory and very often we go, oh, hang on,

40
00:02:02,920 --> 00:02:05,760
Speaker 1: we want this work done by our locals. But there's

41
00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:07,640
Speaker 1: a bit of a reason why it can't be done

42
00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:11,119
Speaker 1: by local prisoners here in the Northern Territory building these

43
00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:12,800
Speaker 1: modules for themselves, isn't they.

44
00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:16,480
Speaker 2: Yeah, look, there's a number of challenges with it. I mean,

45
00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:19,960
Speaker 2: you know, obviously with the supply shortages and other things

46
00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:23,440
Speaker 2: in place, and just around the compliances for this. And

47
00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:25,280
Speaker 2: as I said, we've been very fortunate in New South

48
00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:27,680
Speaker 2: Wales to be able to undertake this kind of industry

49
00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:29,800
Speaker 2: for a long time, so we had a lot of

50
00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:32,280
Speaker 2: conversations with them about that, and you know, it's just

51
00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:34,720
Speaker 2: a lot easier and a lot more effective for us

52
00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:37,240
Speaker 2: to actually complete this, and you know, we look to

53
00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:40,640
Speaker 2: work with the NT and ALIS moving forward and hopefully,

54
00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:44,799
Speaker 2: you know, work with them to increase their opportunities in

55
00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:46,080
Speaker 2: the industry space as well.

56
00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:49,400
Speaker 1: Yeah, because I suppose, you know, if you've got like

57
00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:52,440
Speaker 1: if you do actually have prisoners in their own prison

58
00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:55,080
Speaker 1: though as well building these modulars, you could wind up

59
00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:57,200
Speaker 1: with a situation where they sort of know how to

60
00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:01,519
Speaker 1: maybe dismantle if needed or if wanted, and maybe breakout.

61
00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:02,320
Speaker 1: Would that be right?

62
00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:06,720
Speaker 2: Absolutely? I mean there's definitely security concerns that we do have.

63
00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:09,679
Speaker 2: I must say, these modules are built in a way

64
00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:12,560
Speaker 2: that you know, they can house all ranges of classification

65
00:03:12,639 --> 00:03:15,320
Speaker 2: of inmates through maximum all way to minimum. But you

66
00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:17,799
Speaker 2: are right, it is quite a challenging thing to do

67
00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:20,679
Speaker 2: within your own environment and it's something that we don't

68
00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:22,840
Speaker 2: typically do even in New South Wales at all.

69
00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:26,679
Speaker 1: Yeah, hey, tell me like how the program is benefiting

70
00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:28,400
Speaker 1: prisoners in New South Wales.

71
00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:32,960
Speaker 2: So our main focus in working education is obviously providing

72
00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:38,680
Speaker 2: inmates with vocational training and really hands on employment opportunities.

73
00:03:38,680 --> 00:03:41,600
Speaker 2: So you know, we look through construction, so all the

74
00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:44,720
Speaker 2: construction pathways for them, so really around the electrical or

75
00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:47,119
Speaker 2: the plumbing. We've got a number of inmates going through

76
00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:50,960
Speaker 2: traineeships and apprenticeships and actually completing them while in custody,

77
00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:54,400
Speaker 2: and we know that that has proven now through a

78
00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:58,320
Speaker 2: lot of studies benefits in inmates being successfully reintegrated back

79
00:03:58,320 --> 00:03:59,160
Speaker 2: into the community.

80
00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:02,360
Speaker 1: What sort of skills and qualifications are they able to

81
00:04:02,400 --> 00:04:04,680
Speaker 1: gain in that process, because like you've said, they're then

82
00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:07,880
Speaker 1: hopefully being able to you know, to integrate into the

83
00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:09,640
Speaker 1: community after they are released.

84
00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:14,120
Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely. So obviously construction is a major focus, so

85
00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:17,919
Speaker 2: any construction related So I've got a number of inmates

86
00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:22,600
Speaker 2: currently undertaking electrical and plumbing qualifications. I've also then you've

87
00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:24,120
Speaker 2: got the other side of it, which is a crane

88
00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:28,039
Speaker 2: and dogging, so quite a you know, really in demand,

89
00:04:28,800 --> 00:04:30,520
Speaker 2: you know job on the outside of something that there's

90
00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:32,680
Speaker 2: a lot of shortages in. So we have a range

91
00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:36,600
Speaker 2: of you know, qualifications that they do undertake, and so

92
00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:39,320
Speaker 2: it's been very successful for us over the past few years.

93
00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:43,839
Speaker 1: And Blake, when you talk about about prisoners doing these programs,

94
00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:47,120
Speaker 1: how you know, like how much does it really help

95
00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:52,520
Speaker 1: them then in terms of rehabilitation and not becoming repeat offenders?

96
00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:57,400
Speaker 2: Well, Okatie, there was a study done by Boxer some

97
00:04:57,560 --> 00:04:59,799
Speaker 2: time ago when it was over a nine year period.

98
00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:03,000
Speaker 2: We've always known in industries that it was very effective.

99
00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:05,760
Speaker 2: You know, this kind of program and this hands on

100
00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:07,920
Speaker 2: experience in the industry is effective. But the box Star

101
00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,839
Speaker 2: study that was completed and handed out I think twenty

102
00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:13,520
Speaker 2: twenty one really really did highlight that and it showed

103
00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:18,200
Speaker 2: a significant percentage of the decline in regards to inmates

104
00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:23,240
Speaker 2: who undertake undertook any vocational training, traineeships or apprenticeships. And

105
00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:27,040
Speaker 2: as we know, giving someone a steady workforce and then

106
00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:30,760
Speaker 2: obviously from a financial point of view, when they get out,

107
00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:32,479
Speaker 2: that means that they've got something to go to and

108
00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:35,360
Speaker 2: that's very important. Now, putting inmates back out in the street,

109
00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:39,520
Speaker 2: you know, really doesn't assist them with reintegrating back into

110
00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:41,680
Speaker 2: the community. And that's what we are all about is

111
00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:45,320
Speaker 2: giving them some actual skills that are practical that can

112
00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:48,120
Speaker 2: be applied out in the real world. And we know that,

113
00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:51,320
Speaker 2: given this study has now been concluded for some years,

114
00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:53,960
Speaker 2: that it was a very effective solution and that's something

115
00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:55,640
Speaker 2: that we continually push for.

116
00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:59,120
Speaker 1: Excellent, Hey tell us, where are things that with the

117
00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:03,320
Speaker 1: ninety six bed facility that you're working on for the territory.

118
00:06:04,080 --> 00:06:06,680
Speaker 2: Yeah, So the nine cells have arrived over the last

119
00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:09,360
Speaker 2: few weeks, so that's eighteen beds. Each cell has two

120
00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:12,920
Speaker 2: beds in there, and over the next two months we're

121
00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:16,880
Speaker 2: going to have a number of deliveries, six at a time, arriving.

122
00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:20,000
Speaker 2: So we would hope by around the April period we've

123
00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:22,960
Speaker 2: got all of these cells and the communal modules on

124
00:06:23,080 --> 00:06:25,440
Speaker 2: site and then it'll be around the installation within the

125
00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:26,560
Speaker 2: actual prison facility.

126
00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:29,200
Speaker 1: Yep, and Blake, some people listening are going to be

127
00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:31,200
Speaker 1: thinking to themselves, Oh, I don't know if these sound

128
00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:34,200
Speaker 1: like they're real secure, but like you've just seen, they

129
00:06:34,240 --> 00:06:37,880
Speaker 1: literally can how's well people that are in the prison

130
00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:39,880
Speaker 1: at all the different levels, by the.

131
00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:43,560
Speaker 2: Sounds of it, absolutely and I think that fortunately for us,

132
00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:46,839
Speaker 2: we've had ours installed from around the twenty fifteen seventeen

133
00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:49,120
Speaker 2: market in the lot of centers in maximum security remand

134
00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:52,800
Speaker 2: centers in the metropolitan area all through to minimum security

135
00:06:52,839 --> 00:06:55,960
Speaker 2: and the condition of these cells now after so many

136
00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:58,120
Speaker 2: years and you know, such a high turner of inmates

137
00:06:58,279 --> 00:07:00,680
Speaker 2: is actually quite remarkable, and that's just due to the

138
00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:03,080
Speaker 2: fact that we have done it to a point where

139
00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:06,560
Speaker 2: we know we can house inmates safely and securely. And

140
00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:08,040
Speaker 2: there's the end of the test of time in New

141
00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:10,119
Speaker 2: South Wales and I'm sure they will do the same

142
00:07:10,320 --> 00:07:11,400
Speaker 2: up in the Northern Territory.

143
00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:15,160
Speaker 1: Well Communities and Justice, New South Wales External Services Work

144
00:07:15,200 --> 00:07:18,920
Speaker 1: and Education Director Blake Conwell, I really appreciate your time

145
00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:20,560
Speaker 1: this morning. Thanks for having a chat with us.

146
00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:21,800
Speaker 2: Thank you very much.

147
00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:22,720
Speaker 1: Thank you,