Peak calving season arrives at low custody centres
Calving season is underway at some of Queensland's low custody centres, with Capricornia Correctional Centre welcoming its first herd of calves to their new commercial beef herd.
Born last month, the two calves come from a line of Droughtmaster stock moved from Lotus Glen Correctional Centre's low custody facility in June, as Capricornia prepares to launch an agricultural educational program.
More than 70 calves have been born at Palen Creek Correctional Centre so far, with a further 30 expected this breeding season.
Around 60 calves have joined the herd at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre this breeding season.
Numinbah Correctional Centre has also recently welcomed 15 new additions, some sired by award-winning Charolais bull, 'Gorgeous' George.
The commercial cattle herds at low security centres play an important role, helping prisoners learn skills in agriculture, animal husbandry, farm operations and rural operations as part of their rehabilitation programs.
These programs provide prisoners with meaningful activity and valuable vocational skills to boost the chances of securing employment in the agricultural sector upon release, reducing recidivism rates and strengthening community safety.
Superintendent Somone Landry, Deputy General Manager, Palen Creek Correctional Centre, said the low custody facility was expecting lots of calves to arrive this season.
"The agricultural program at Palen Creek is very busy, even in winter with prisoners continuing to care for animals as part of their rehabilitation programs," Superintendent Landry said.
The General Manager of Capricornia Correctional Centre, Chief Superintendent Alan Houchin, said they were looking forward to growing the first herd at the centre in more than 20 years.
"We were lucky to have some of Lotus Glen's famous Droughtmaster stock come to Capricornia Correctional Centre to help us launch an agricultural education program in future," Chief Superintendent Houchin said.
