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Prison Industries

Prisoners' requirement to work

All prisoners under 65 years of age are required to work unless medically unfit to do so.

All prisoners, including those with disabilities and special security needs, are provided with the opportunity to work for at least six hours a day, ten days a fortnight. The Corrections Commissioner sets the rate that prisoners are paid for this work. Remand prisoners are also given the opportunity to work.

Types of work

Prison industries involve work contracted from outside the prison and through service type industries. Employment in a prison industry emphasises developing work habits and skills that will help a prisoner to gain employment when released. Prisoners often undertake a vocational training program that is relevant to their prison work to gain qualifications that are recognised in the labour market outside the prison.

The range of industries offered varies from prison to prison but common examples include metal fabrication, manufacture of timber products, agriculture and horticulture programs.

Some prisoners also work in facility services such as the kitchen, laundry, cleaning, maintenance and gardening. Where possible, the types of industries provided reflect market trends and industry needs.

Community work

Prisoners who have a minimum security classification can work in the community. In some cases the prison will have contracts for work such as clearing bushland walking tracks, clearing beaches of debris and painting community-owned buildings.