Community Support Program

The community work party became a permanent part of Northern Territory Correctional Services in 1998.  The program has developed into a well respected community operation which has made a positive contribution to the interests of the general community.

During the 1980s there were trial work expeditions into the community by Correctional Services staff running prisoners work crews at Wongabilla Pony Club and Coonawarra Naval Base.  The good work done by these earlier work crews provided the foundation for the permanent establishment of Community Work Parties.

In 1997 in line with the NT Government policy that all able bodied prisoners will work the pilot program Operation Shine was commenced involving 15 low level security prisoners.  For two weeks they removed rubbish and graffiti along Darwin beaches under the control of Chief Prison Officer Peter Truman (retired).  The operation proved very successful resulting in strong support from the public, Darwin City Council and businesses.  Community work parties were permanently established in both Darwin and Alice Springs Correctional Centre to continue regular clean-up programs.

The Community Support Program also operated work camps in Alice Springs in the late 1980s and mid 1990s, where prisoners with their supervisor camped out from Monday to Friday clearing the walking tracks within the parks surrounding Alice Springs.  They then returned to the prison on the weekends so the prisoners could receive visits from family. The work camp also constructed the walking track from the Old Telegraph Station to Mt Sonder (approximately 240km).

Prisoners participating in the program are provided with the opportunity to make reparation to the community for their crimes by helping people and organisations who rely on the generosity of others.  Through beautification and clean up work, removal of graffiti and doing gardening chores for old aged pensioners, prisoners learn they can be a valued member of the community.  The flow on effect to the prisoner is a sense of responsibility, improved self esteem and skill development.

This program is the visible face of Northern Territory Correctional Services where prisoners are seen out in the community doing worthwhile projects.

Both Darwin and Alice Springs Correctional Centre Community Support Party have received numerous certificates of appreciation and awards for the valuable work they perform for their respective communities.

Darwin

Alice Springs