From labour to work: Evaluation of and options for Victoria’s prison industries

Community corrections
Community corrections
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  Community-based orders are served in the community and may involve unpaid community work.
- Community work
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- Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place
  Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place
  
  Learn about this residential program, which houses and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men subject to Community Correction Orders from across Victoria.
Being in prison
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  Alleged offenders on remand are held in custody before and during their trial (on criminal charges) by order of a court.
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  Prisoner placement is the process of ensuring that prisoners are placed in prison locations that are appropriate to prison security and management as well as prisoners’ individual welfare and rehabilitation needs.
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  Upon arrival at any of Victoria's prisons, prisoners undergo reception, assessment and orientation.
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  The quality and standard of health care provided to prisoners is the same as that provided in the community through the public health system.
- Money
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  Prisoner monies are held in trust using a computerised accounting system.
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  Corrections Victoria provides a wide range of program opportunities for prisoners to assist in their rehabilitation and successful return to the community after release from custody.
- Personal information and privacy
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  Corrections Victoria collects personal information about prisoners, offenders, their families and prison visitors.
- Pregnancy and childcare
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  Women in custody who are pregnant or who are the primary carers of young children may apply for the Living with Mum Program.
- Prohibited items (contraband)
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  A prohibited item ('contraband') is anything introduced or found in a prison that is not permitted.
- Property and clothing
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  The type and amount of property and clothing prisoners are allowed to keep varies from prison to prison.
- Recreation
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  Activities in Victorian prisons ensure access to fresh air for at least an hour a day and access to a library.
- Work, education and training
  Work, education and training
  
  Prisoners have the opportunity to work during their sentence to build work habits and skills.
- Leaving prison
  Leaving prison
  
  All Victorian prisons have Transitional staff to assist prisoners to prepare for their release.
Contact or visit a prison
Contact or visit a prison
- Prisons in Victoria
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- Email a person in prison
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- Legal and other professional visitors
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  People in prison are entitled to phone calls, meetings and video conferences with professional visitors, such as lawyers and medical professionals.
- Independent Prison Visitor Scheme
  Independent Prison Visitor Scheme
  
  Independent Prison Visitors are volunteers who provide independent advice to the Minister for Corrections on the operation of Victoria's prison system.
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  Information for overseas delegations (outside of Australia) to visit a prison in Victoria.
About the system
About the system
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- Stories and statements
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- Frameworks, policies and standards
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  Read and download the documents that determine how Victoria’s adult corrections system works and how offenders are treated.
- Statistics and research
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- Make a complaint
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Work with us
Work with us
- Careers in corrections
  Careers in corrections
  
  Learn about the range of roles available in Victoria’s adult corrections system.
- Provide community work placements
  Provide community work placements
  
  Learn about partnering to provide community work placements and download the Community Work Partnership Manual.
- Employing a person with a criminal record
  Employing a person with a criminal record
  
  Justice clients are individuals who are undertaking a court-imposed order. Justice clients come from a range of backgrounds, with a variety of skills, and are valuable employees.

The primary objective was to evaluate the adequacy of the program for contemporary business, employment and educational needs given the changing economic context and how the program might be improved.

Researchers from the University of Sydney undertook an evaluation of Corrections Victoria's Commercial Prison Industries to evaluate the adequacy of the program for contemporary business, employment and educational needs.

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