FROM THE MINISTER FOR CORRECTIONS

DATE: Monday, November 26, 2001


HAERMEYER NAMES DHURRINGILE AS PRISON OF THE YEAR

Corrections Minister Andre Haermeyer today announced that Dhurringile minimum security prison had been judged by Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria as the State’s Prison of the Year.

The hotly contested award among Victoria’s 13 prisons recognises environmental work carried out by prisoners and staff under the Pride in Prisons Program.

Dhurringile Prison, situated in Central Victoria’s fruit growing region, was highly commended for its waste management initiatives such as recycling, and for its reduction in power and water usage.

The prison has an extensive, well known and productive orchard and uses “grey water” as part of its recycling activities. The prison also has a policy of planting 1000 trees a year in an effort to lower the water table.

Runners up awards also went to minimum security prisons- Won Wron and Langi Kal Kal.

Mr Haermeyer said the variety of community tasks undertaken by Victoria’s prisons was amazing and invaluable.

“Prisoners do thousands of hours of unpaid community work outside prisons which generally goes unnoticed,” Mr Haermeyer said.

General manager of Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria, Brian Klemm said he regarded the works carried out by prisons as the best untold news story he had encountered.

“It’s a pity the general community is not privy to witnessing all the good work that happens at a prison. It would certainly change perceptions,” Mr Klemm said.

The Office of the Correctional Services Commissioner is the sponsor of the awards.




The full list of award winners is attached. Individual award ceremonies will be held at each prison.











PRISON AWARD WINNERS

· Prison of the Year –Dhurringile
Consistent Excellence: Won Wron and Langi Kal Kal.


· Special Judge’s Awards
Most Improved Prison – Dame Phyllis Frost Centre
The Judge was most impressed with the improvements associated with the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. Keep Australia Beautiful (Vic) also acknowledges work in the horticulture compound.
Special Encouragement Award – Melbourne Assessment Prison
For the planned work to beautify the extremely limited internal grounds and also the external gardens.

· Special Achievement Certificates
Melbourne Assessment Prison - “Reconciliation Mural” – recognition of prisoners’ efforts at reconciliation
H.M. Prison Won Wron “Raptor Program”- Joint Venture Healesville Sanctuary - recognition of involvement of prisoners in a unique program.
H.M. Prison Dhurringile “Participation in care for the disabled in the community”

· Other Awards
Positive Litter Control/ Resource Management - H.M. Prison Dhurringile
Recognising strategic planning by prisons in managing their litter, initiatives include recycling and composting, conserving energy through the greater use of renewable resources (such as solar power), improved facility design and the reduction of waste through, for example, the use of treated sewerage water for water lawns, gardens and reserves.
Internal Beautification & Environmental Programs - Joint Winners: H.M. Prison Loddon & H.M. Prison Ararat
Recognising work done by prisoners and staff to ensure the living environment of the prison is conducive to the rehabilitation of prisoners.
Frontage and surrounding gardens/ Beautification - Joint Winners: H.M. Integration Prison Beechworth and H.M. Prison Barwon
Recognising the work by prisoners and staff to improve and beautify the main entrance to the prison as well as the surrounding gardens.
Best Maintained Personal Garden/ Area Project – John from HM Prison Ararat
Recognising the work of prisoners and prison staff to improve the area surrounding the living quarters of the prison or designated areas that enhances the quality of life of prisoners and the general appearance of the location.
Work on Project/s in the Wider Community - Joint Winners: H.M. Prison Dhurringile and H.M. Prison Integration Prison Beechworth
Recognises minimum security prisoners who work in the wider community. Activities that contribute to improving the local environment may include litter control, landcare, tree plantings and street/ highway beautification programs.
Special Achievements by Prison Staff and Prisoners – Graeme, HM Prison Dhurringile and Steven Smith from HM Prison Langi Kal Kal
This is an “open” category that provides the opportunity to identify special initiatives undertaken by prisoners and staff to improve the living environment of the prison. This section allows the opportunity to nominate both staff and prisoners for a special award.