A UNION boss has welcomed plans to use prisoners on outdoor working parties.
The plans were unveiled in Tynwald by Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK who revealed his officers were meeting with counterparts in the Department of Infrastructure to consider giving low-risk inmates work to do on projects in the community such as repairing countryside paths and upland tracks.
Steve Salter, regional industrial organiser for the Unite union, said the DoI has contacted him just before Christmas to seek the union’s views on the plans.
He said: ‘We don’t have a problem with it as some of the paths need sorting out and boredom must be a killer up at Jurby prison.
‘Learning new skills is obviously going to help some of these people get into a work ethic and will help with their rehabilitation when they do get out of prison. I personally believe people should be given a second chance and this is one way they could do a bit to put something back into the community.
‘Our union is fully supportive of any scheme that improves the chances of people gaining employment and, as long as the scheme isn’t abused or used to reduce staffing levels within the DoI because these people are viewed as a cheaper alternative to the full-time workforce, then we would be behind it.’
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But Mr Salter said there would be a concern if DoI staff had to take on sole responsibility for supervising the inmates while on work programmes.
He said: ‘The only concern we have over the proposal is perhaps the extra pressure/workload that could be placed upon DoI supervisors.
‘They already supervise groups of staff carrying out the clearing of paths etc and to take on the sole responsibility for supervising prisoners could be asking a bit too much.
‘If the prisoners were to be supervised by staff from the prison or other areas of the DHA with the proper risk assessments all being in place then there shouldn’t be a problem.
‘We are meant to be talking about low-risk prisoners who just want to do what is left of their time to serve and get on and rebuild their lives. Yes, they should be given a second chance and as part of this if they get a decent reference based upon their work commitment at the end of the work scheme this will all help for the future.’
He added: ‘A lot needs to be done before this can happen and both departments need to consult with staff. Some supervisors may feel uncomfortable to take on this extra role and if that is the case their wishes should be accepted and nobody should feel pressurised into doing it.
‘If done properly the proposals could benefit everyone – including the inmates from Jurby prison.
‘Getting people out of a cycle of crime and into employment is of paramount importance especially given the economic climate. There are huge costs involved for looking after people in prison and that money would be better spent in a more productive proactive way like keeping our countryside paths clear and our upland tracks in good condition.’