Pre-release work activities

Female pre-release

Work opportunities for women nearing the completion of their sentence exist at the prisoners’ canteen distribution centre.

The distribution centres fill the canteen orders for prisoners in the nearby centres.

Women are able to gain experience in walkie stacker equipment and a range of warehousing activities.

Women offenders also provide a maintenance service on the Amy Gillett bikeway in the Adelaide Hills, ensuring paths and trails are cleared and kept safe.

Male pre-release

Male prisoners nearing the end of their sentence may undertake work within National Parks.

This work provides a valuable contribution to the safety of park management by:

  • removing fuel and vegetation treatments
  • construction and management of paths
  • removing weeds, litter and ground maintenance

Work teams also maintain rest stops on some of the main highways in South Australia.

The Department’s registered training organisation, VTEC-SA, have awarded qualifications in Agrifood Operations and Horticulture to these workers once training is completed.

Prisoners at the Adelaide Pre-release Centre may also work at the departmental farm facility at Northfield.
There are a range of poly-tunnels in operation, growing fruit and vegetables, and a cereal crop that is harvested annually.

Off-site schemes

Job Club

The Adelaide Pre-Release Centre coordinates the Job Club.

This is an independently run program that assists prisoners to find work. Participants are helped to find work through career identification, writing a resume, and interview skills.

Volunteering

There is a program for pre-release prisoners to volunteer at various community groups and churches.

Many participants have found this opportunity rewarding in gaining skills and experience, often within a community group that can offer substantial support upon release.

Work Release

The Work Release Program allows prisoners who find suitable employment to attend their work each day while returning to the prison at night.

The employers provide a valuable contribution to the rehabilitation and reintegration of the offenders.

The scheme offers employers the satisfaction of knowing that they have made a real difference to somebody by giving them a second chance.

Employers and the location of the business premises must be assessed prior to prisoners starting work.