Prison training plan is working, say ministers

Corrections Minister Paul Swain has held up Waikato's Spring Hill Prison site, where inmates have been driving diggers and trucks, as an example of how radical plans to stop re-offending will work.

The plan is being worked on by Mr Swain and Associate Social Development Minister Rick Barker and would see inmates receive industry-based training in a bid to get them into full-time employment on release.

The proposal has yet to go before Cabinet but eight inmates from Waikeria Prison have already received training in driving diggers and trucks on the Spring Hill site working out the end of their sentences.

Upon release three have been given full-time employment on the site where earthworks are under way in preparation for the building of a 650-bed prison to open in 2007.

A 44-year-old Waikato man, released from prison six months ago, is one of three driving trucks on the site full time.

At a site visit yesterday Mr Swain said the new prison would be focused towards rehabilitation with strong iwi and community liaison and a "reintegration officer" who will manage inmates one year from their release date.

Mr Swain said Corrections and Work and Income would work together on the proposal with reintegration officers identifying those suitable for industry-based training and Work and Income charged with finding accredited training for those who fit the criteria.

Criteria includes non-violent offenders, those with clean drivers licences, in the last year of their sentence and no record of drug use or other misconduct while in prison.