A Duneidn housing maintenance company seems set to have staffing bolstered by Otago Corrections Facility (OCF)-trained former prisoners.
Dunedin Housing Maintenance Contractors (DHMC) and the prison announced the partnership yesterday.
DHMC, which does maintenance work on government rental properties in most regions of the lower South Island, has agreed to consider trained prisoners for painting work upon those prisoners' release.
Prisoners trained by OCF in other skills-based trades, such as plumbing and landscaping, would be considered by the company as its partnership with the prison developed.
OCF prison director Jack Harrison said the agreement would give prisoners an opportunity for a fresh start.
‘‘Partnerships like this benefit everyone - the parties involved, the employees' families and, by helping a family move away from poverty and crime through employment, there are benefits for the community as a whole.''
Research showed employment decreased the risk of reoffending and Mr Harrison commended DHMC for agreeing to the partnership.
‘‘We want to give offenders the best chance of maintaining their commitment to a new start but [the Department of] Corrections can't do this alone.
‘‘We are looking to work closely with local organisations like DHMC which have a strong ethos of social responsibility and can see past a person's criminal past.''
DHMC is one of the largest maintenance companies in Otago, with about 40 staff and a wide network of sub-contractors.
DHMC could not be reached for comment last night
