Prisoner work parties deliver more than $2.7 million in value to Territory taxpayers this financial year.
Prisoner work parties played a vital role in cyclone preparation, flood recovery and community clean-up efforts and continue work delivering lawn mowing and yard maintenance services while preparing to support Territory Day post-celebration clean-up efforts.
For the first time, female prisoners are participating in the community service work program, and are gaining skills and qualifications offered through the new Alice Springs Women's Correctional Centre.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government's Prisoner work parties have delivered more than $2.7 million in value to Territory taxpayers this financial year, while helping communities recover from severe weather events and supporting vulnerable Territorians.
The program forms part of the CLP Government's commitment to making communities safer, reducing reoffending and ensuring taxpayers receive value for money.
Low and open security prisoners have contributed thousands of hours of community service work across Greater Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs, supporting disaster preparedness, recovery operations and community maintenance projects.
In the last quarter alone, prisoners delivered more than 24,000 hours of community work, generating approximately $600,000 in economic value for the Territory.
The program has also reached a significant milestone with the introduction of the first female Community Service Work Party in Alice Springs following the opening of the dedicated women's facility
Six women are currently participating in the program, undertaking grounds maintenance projects across Alice Springs while building practical skills and work readiness.
These women have completed White Card training and are currently working towards a Certificate I in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, providing valuable qualifications that can support future employment opportunities.
Minister for Corrections Gerard Maley said community work programs are one of the most effective tools we have for breaking the cycle of offending.
"Territorians expect prisoners to be held accountable for their actions, but they also expect them to use their time in custody productively," Minister Maley said.
"This program delivers real benefits for taxpayers while helping prisoners develop practical skills, work habits and experience that can support employment opportunities when they leave custody.
"Every hour spent contributing to the community is an hour spent building responsibility, strengthening rehabilitation and reducing the likelihood of reoffending."
The work parties made a significant contribution during the Territory's recent severe weather events, working alongside the NT Emergency Service, Defence personnel and local councils.
Ahead of Tropical Cyclone Narelle, prisoner work crews in Katherine filled 925 sandbags in a single afternoon to help protect critical community infrastructure. They later assisted with recovery efforts, removing debris and flood-damaged materials and helping restore community facilities.
In Alice Springs, prisoners delivered 1,700 sandbags to protect the hospital and nearby homes before supporting clean-up efforts following flash flooding.
In Greater Darwin, prisoner work parties and correctional officers assisted with emergency relief operations, helping establish evacuation centres at the Darwin Showgrounds and Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education following an emergency situation in the Daly River region.
Prisoners have also provided lawn mowing and yard maintenance services for local councils and vulnerable residents, including pensioners and people living with disability.
With Territory Day approaching, prisoner work crews are preparing to support post-celebration clean-up efforts, to collect firework debris and help keep communities clean and safe.
The Prisoner work parties, also known as the Community Support Work Program, forms part of the Northern Territory Correctional Services Industries, Skills and Employment framework, which focuses on education, training and employment pathways that help reduce reoffending and improve community safety.
