Work a good alternative to sleep for prisoners

John points proudly to a large puriri tree waving in the Wellington wind on the bank just outside the perimeter of Mt Crawford Prison.

"This nursery was re-established on November 16th, 2005," he says. "It was an effort. When we walked into this, there were trees growing up the roof. No benches at all. We worked very hard to make it viable."

There have been several successes already; the one he's most pleased about is the fact his team managed to propagate puriri seedlings in 27 days.

"It should normally take 9 to 12 months," he says, pointing out a mature specimen.

The 69-year-old is in jail for the first time, serving a three-year term, and worked hard to gain the low-security classification - the "trust" - enabling him to work in the nursery.

He gardened at home, and is now studying propagation.

"I take it very seriously. I'm hoping to make it successful for CIE [Corrections Inmate Employment]."

John considers the experience "very valuable, although I'm not the youngest person, I can see it having a way of returning to the community something worthwhile".

Only three inmates work in the nursery, although there are plans to increase the number.

There is also printing and plastics training and work at the site and 12 people work in the kitchen, which also does catering for outside functions.

However, in total just 27 of the 144 inmates are working.

John is philosophical about changing governments and changing prison policies but he is concerned about a "high-fence mentality. And enforced idleness does exist".

Pita is in the prison until 2009 and is putting his skills as a steel fitter and fabricator to work, making a trailer.

"I'm just happy to use my trade from the outside and keep myself busy. If he [Damien O'Connor] can do stuff for others ... "

Asked what most of the men at the prison do, he says: "Sleep. There's not a lot to do. There are only one or two courses that are held here. There are only one or two people that are eligible to do those courses ... Not all of them want to work - there are some pretty useless people - but there are others who, there's just nothing for them.

"I mean, we've got a workshop here that guys could be using to do joinery and welding certificates. If you get out it's got to be beneficial for the community and us."

* Real names not used.