Albany Regional Prison Upholstery Shop Supervisor Ian would not swap his job for anything.
With a team of 12 prisoners, Ian makes the mattresses, pillows, doonas, medical pouches, laundry bags and other items for the almost 7000 inmates in WA prisons.
The former upholstery and curtains small business owner joined the prison 14 years ago.
“I’m proud of the work of my workers, proud of the prison estate, proud of the uniform and proud of the privilege of working here,” Ian said. “It’s great to have the opportunity of directing prisoners on the right path – but this role has had an invaluable input in my life too and has made me a better person, a better husband and a better father.
“I wouldn’t call being a VSO a job. It’s a calling and a challenge – and you learn a lot about human nature and you learn patience. If you are prepared to work as a team, to do the best you can without looking for praise, to help other people, then apply.”
Ian said he called on his skills as a businessman to encourage the prisoners to work hard and in the process learn about abilities they never knew they had. “If they apply themselves, and persevere, everyone can do basic machine work. But I do emphasise that I won’t accept sloppy work,” he said.
“As taxpayers, we are all shareholders and part-owners in this enterprise and the better we, as Officers, work together, the more we reduce pressure on taxes. I’d say that over the years we’ve saved the Government hundreds of thousands of dollars through what we achieve in this workshop.”
Ian said praise was a vital ingredient in getting the best out of his workforce. “A lot of prisoners haven’t had much praise in their lives and they do remember it,” he said.
“I met a former prisoner on the outside who married and became a heavy diesel mechanic. He came up to me and said he wanted to thank me for the chat and the encouragement inside because it had really helped him. I could hardly remember that chat, but it was life-changing for him.”
