Low-risk prisoners helping residents get storm ready
Prisoners from Townsville Men's Low Custody Correctional Centre have been put to work, joining forces with the State Emergency Service (SES) to fill sandbags ahead of the storm season.
It marks the first time prisoners from Townsville Correctional Complex have been engaged to support disaster preparedness through sandbagging and builds on a legacy of statewide disaster support offered by Queensland Corrective Services.
Led by QCS' Disruptive Events Management Unit, QCS is working with local governments and the SES across Queensland to provide a key source of reliable labour in both disaster preparedness and recovery.
This expands on existing projects at Maryborough Correctional Centre and Innisfail Work Camp where prisoners regularly lend a hand by filling sandbags and delivering other preparation activities ahead of potential severe weather events.
Earlier this year, prisoners from Maryborough Correctional Centre filled sandbags for residents on the Fraser Coast and Noosa to prepare for flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Julia Creek Work Camp also played a key role during Tropical Cyclone Kirrily after the Kynuna township was hit by flooding, while Townsville prisoners have a near decade long history of supporting the Billabong Sanctuary through clean-up and recovery efforts.
Director, Queensland Corrective Services Disruptive Events Management Unit Matthew Chesnais said QCS was building on that community support by establishing a statewide approach to supporting communities through the deployment of low-risk prisoners and offenders.
"We recently highlighted QCS' capability to support disaster preparedness, relief, and recovery activities to 24 local governments and the National Emergency Management Agency," Mr Chesnais said.
"QCS is well practised in safely deploying low-risk prisoners to assist with sandbagging and other preparatory works, and we are working with councils and other community groups to offer our assistance.
"This partnership between Townsville Correctional Complex and Northern Region SES highlights not only how QCS can support disaster management, but also the benefits of supervised rehabilitation of offenders, which we know reduces recidivism and delivers safety to Queensland communities."
QCS' Disruptive Events Management Unit recently met with multiple local governments to progress their access to QCS support. Through the partnership, Capricornia Correctional Centre is expected to provide 1,000 sandbags to Livingstone Shire Council in coming weeks and Palen Creek and Numinbah low custody centres are offering resource and assistance to Logan City Council, Gold Coast City Council and Scenic Rim Regional Council.
Fourteen prisoners helped fill between one to two thousand sandbags which will now be stored, ready to be distributed for collection at pre-designated points within the community when disaster hits.
Townsville residents can access sandbagging information via the council disaster dashboard.
SES Regional Director Daryl Camp said he was grateful for the contribution of low custody prisoners in assisting with sandbagging efforts.
"Sandbagging is a critical preventative measure which strengthens our flood defences and by having these sandbags filled and ready to go it will improve SES response times," he said.
"This initiative from Queensland Corrective Services is a practical way to boost our readiness for severe weather events.
"The assistance allows our SES teams to focus on their core functions of reaching those in need during emergencies. It also helps us to manage fatigue levels among our volunteers, ensuring they're ready to respond when it matters most, direct to the people who need help.
"This work not only helps protect homes and businesses but also highlights the importance of everyone coming together to safeguard our community.
"Flooding has had a significant impact on Townsville in recent years including earlier this year. By working together, whether it's SES volunteers, local residents, or low-level prisoners, we are building a stronger, more resilient community prepared for future challenges."
Low-risk prisoners working in the community remain under strict supervision, with community service projects offering prisoners the chance to learn vocational and life skills and make reparation to the community for their crimes.
In some cases, community service has led to prisoners obtaining employment, which further deters reoffending.
