Justice and Public Safety
November 4, 2014
Making Positive Contributions to Improve Communities
Correctional Centre Inmates and Staff Volunteer to Help Regional Organization
Inmates and staff at the Bishop’s Falls Correctional Centre recently volunteered to assist Violence Prevention South and Central Inc., an organization dedicated to eliminating violence in homes and communities. Accompanied by correctional officers, the inmates helped renovate and set up the organization’s office, which is located in Grand Falls-Windsor.
“I am very proud of the inmates’ hard work on this project. By lending a hand in the community, they can see the positive impacts that their contributions can have on all involved. The residents of Grand Falls-Windsor and the surrounding region will benefit from their efforts, and the inmates will also benefit from having taken an active role in rehabilitation. I thank the inmates and staff for volunteering their time to improve the community.”
- The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister of Justice and Public Safety
From October 14 to 17, the inmates of the Bishop’s Falls Correctional Centre, under the supervision of Correctional Officers, attended at the Violence Prevention South and Central Inc. office where they completed renovations, plastered, painted, cleaned carpets, moved furniture and desks and set up office equipment.
“This is one of a number of programs being delivered at the Bishop’s Falls Correctional Centre with a goal of teaching inmates life skills and to help them better integrate back into society. I commend the staff and inmates for their valuable contributions to the community and their commitment to the success of this important initiative.”
- Clayton Forsey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for the District of Exploits
Violence Prevention South and Central Inc. is an alliance of community and government agencies which services the south and central-west areas of the island. The organization works to eradicate violence in homes and communities by increasing awareness, engaging the public and advocating on behalf of victims of violence.
“This was a very positive experience for Violence Prevention South and Central Inc. The inmates were very respectful of our environment and took great pride in doing the best possible job. They were very eager to help and take on any task that needed to be done. We openly discussed the work of our organization, and they engaged in conversation with us and expressed interest in our organization. We wish them all the best.”
- Lorraine Hearn, Executive Director, Violence Prevention South and Central Inc.
Violence Prevention South and Central Inc. is one of 10 Regional Coordinating Committees funded through the Violence Prevention Initiative of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
QUICK FACTS
- Inmates and staff at the Bishop’s Falls Correctional Centre recently volunteered their time to help Violence Prevention South and Central Inc. set up the organization’s office in Grand Falls-Windsor.
- Under the supervision of Correctional Officers, inmates completed renovations, plastered, painted, cleaned carpets, moved furniture, moved desks and set up office equipment.
- In the past, inmates have also built Christmas parade floats, trash receptacles, picnic tables, and flower pots for local parks, as well as constructed items that were donated to local not-for-profit organizations for their use for prizes and auctions.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
| Luke Joyce Director of Communications Department of Justice and Public Safety 709-729-6985, 725-4165 lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca |
Melanie Mercer Constituency Assistant to Clayton Forsey MHA for the District of Exploits 709-258-2519 melaniemercer@gov.nl.ca |
| Lorraine Hearn, Executive Director, Violence Prevention South and Central Inc. 709-489-8828 cav@nfld.net |
2014 11 04 11:20 a.m.