Inmates ImproveShowgrounds
Photo: AssistantDirector Frank Marshall, Prison Officer Leebert Forbes (R) anda work team at the Agricultural showgrounds.
Families and other visitors, will be morecomfortable at the Agricultural Show next month thanks to workbeing done at the site by HMP Northward inmates.
Over the past two months ten-member teamsof prisoners have been hard at work at the Lower valley location.The work parties cut wood and assembled 30 picnic tables; paintedstands, as well as produce and craft display stalls; and installeda new water system for animals shown at the annual fair, whichthis year takes place on Wednesday, 13 February.
The new benches will cater to a new focusby the Agricultural Society: participants' comfort and safety.In this effort, the horse-riding corral has been removed fromthe centre of the grounds, and will be replaced with a large tentover the new picnic area. Horse demonstrations will now take placeat the west boundary of the fairgrounds.
After the Agricultural Show the new picnicbenches will be sanded and painted by the Rotarians, to furtherbeautify them for future use.
Coinciding with this project, the Northwardwoodwork section, which had been closed in recent months, recentlyresumed operations. Inmates are now building their usual items,including garden swings, kennels and bird cages and garbage containersplus other custom items -- available from the prison office.
Prison Officer Leebert Forbes, who overseesthe work parties, said the low-risk "Category D" teamshave worked over the years on projects such as the Botanic Bark,for the National Trust, and on other community initiatives.
Inmates earn between $5 and $18 per weekfor this work. "Their time passes more quickly when theyare occupied, and most prefer to be doing something constructiverather than sitting in the prison compound," added Mr. Forbes,a 20-year veteran with the Prison Service.