Live-in prisoner work camp starts operation near Badgingarra

28/7/98

Attorney General Peter Foss today announced a live-in prisoner work camp started operation this week near Badgingarra about 250km north of Perth.

"Prisoners are repaying their debt to society through direct community projects for the farming community of Badgingarra," Mr Foss said.

"Initially four adult prisoners from Wooroloo Prison Farm and a supervising prison officer will work during the week from the camp at Warramia Farm, formerly a Ministry of Justice juvenile facility, near the town of Badgingarra. This will increase to eight prisoners.

"The prisoners will concentrate on cleaning and renovating the farm building in the first weeks and quickly move on to projects identified by the community representatives.

"These projects include fencing around the oval at the Badgingarra Community Centre and general clean up of rubbish areas. Work is being developed with other community organisations, CALM and the Shire of Dandaragan."

Mr Foss said consultation and support of the local community were seen as essential for the success of the work camp.

Prisoners on the team were volunteers who had undergone a stringent selection process to ensure they had the appropriate work ethic and had shown interest in community work.

This is the second work camp pilot to be set up this year. The other is at Walpole in the State's South-West with prisoners from Pardelup Prison Farm.

Media contact: Kirsten Stoney 9 221 1377