The new traineeships are in the automotive and horticulture streams. New barista and barber training will also be introduced at the prison.
The expansion follows a 17 per cent increase in prisoners undertaking traineeships at Wooroloo and its Dowerin Work Camp in 2021 and supports a key recommendation of the Office of Inspector of Custodial Services (OICS) latest report, released today.
Corrective Services Commissioner Mike Reynolds said research clearly showed that prisoner trainees who gained employment upon release were much less likely to reoffend.
"The traineeships provide opportunities for prisoners to get realistic work experience and gain skills and accredited training to enhance their employment opportunities on release," Commissioner Reynolds said.
"It's a win-win outcome for the prisoners and the community. It provides a pathway for prisoners exiting the criminal justice system to engage in meaningful employment when they return to the community.
"The Department is committed to increasing traineeship and apprentice capability at Wooroloo and continues to explore new opportunities."
The OICS report acknowledged the wide range of short trade courses offered at Wooroloo which are delivered through Central Regional TAFE.
Forty-one prisoners completed traineeships last year, acquiring potentially life-changing skills in industry areas such as rural operations, cleaning, hospitality, construction, laundry, furniture making and engineering fabrication.
The Department supported, or supported in-principle, 11 of the OICS Report’s 15 recommendations.
While OICS praised the prison’s good response and management of COVID-19 challenges, its strong and stable leadership and a functional and positive health team, concerns were raised about a perception survey identifying some staff behavioural issues.
The Department is committed to high standards of professional behaviour and has commenced additional ethics and integrity awareness sessions at the prison to educate staff and provide guidance on how to report misconduct or suspected breaches.
"We have taken immediate action to ensure all employees understand the strict requirement of the Department’s Code of Conduct," Commissioner Reynolds said.
Since the inspection, the Department had also delivered on another recommendation implementing a secure electronic system across all prisons to facilitate the depositing of funds to prisoner accounts, making the process more accessible for families and loved ones.
"We are proud of Wooroloo's lessons-learned culture and are committed to improving services and outcomes for prisoners and the working environment for all staff," Commissioner Reynolds said.
