Work camps

Work camps have been operating in Western Australia for more than 10 years. In this time, thousands of offenders have been through the program and returned over $7 million in reparation to the community. This work has included tree planting and coastal regeneration, maintenance of national parks and reserves, restoring heritage sites and buildings of significant historical value, as well as a range of other community projects undertaken for not-for-profit organisations. These projects provide opportunities for eligible minimum security prisoners who are nearing release to improve their work skills and job readiness.

The primary objectives of the program are to:

• provide reparation to the community by engaging offenders in constructive employment on projects that enhance community life and maintain community assets
• enable offenders to develop work and life skills that may increase their chances of successful re-integration into the community on release
• encourage offenders to develop a work ethic by engaging them in regular work practices and encouraging self responsibility
• support a graduated management regime for prisoners according to their security rating and sentence details.

Western Australia's 5 work camps are located in the Kimberley (Wyndham), Eastern Goldfields (Warburton), the Wheatbelt (Dowerin) and the Great Southern (Walpole). Work camps generally operate under the same guiding principles and towards the same outcomes for offenders. Work camps in the more remote regions are particularly well suited to Aboriginal offenders.

Need help with a community project?

To discuss your community project, or for more information, visit Business with us or contact the Work Camps Manager on + 61 8 9264 1951.

Last updated: 28-May-2013