White, Rob, and Coventry, Garry (2008) Prisoners, work and reciprocal reintegration. In: Proceedings of the 2nd Australian and New Zealand Critical Criminology Conference. pp. 362-383. From: 2nd Australian and New Zealand Critical Criminology Conference, 19 - 20 June 2008, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

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Abstract

On March 20, 2006 the Category 5 Cyclone Larry ravaged the Innisfail and surrounding Atherton Tablelands townships in Far North Queensland. Property and agricultural crop destruction was widespread. Within a day, the army, police and emergency services were on the ground. Not long after, prisoners from Capricornia, Darling Downs, Lotus Glen and Townsville correctional centres were also in the area to assist with the vital clean‐up efforts.

Learning from the experience of these prisoners, this paper discusses the positive possibilities for rehabilitation and reintegration into communities that stem from prisoners engaging in work that is meaningful to them and of importance to communities. The focus of this paper is prisoners, work and social obligation, and the ways in which these intertwine. We want to argue that given the socio‐economic background of most prisoners, there are associated social obligations for society to address this disadvantage. Secondly, we assert that there are individual and social benefits from ‘doing something’ and doing something positive as a prisoner. Thirdly, we point to the challenge of working with offenders in ways that allow offenders to work, and thereby to contribute to personal growth and community building. Overall, our arguments centre on reciprocal reintegration strategies between corrections and local communities – benefitting both prisoners’ and community wellbeing.

Item ID:	7759
Item Type:	Conference Item (Research - E1)
ISBN:	978-0-646-50737-8
Keywords:	prison labour; reintegration; prison
Additional Information:	This publication does not have an abstract. The first two paragraphs of this paper are displayed as the abstract.
Date Deposited:	12 May 2010 03:43
FoR Codes:	16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1602 Criminology > 160299 Criminology not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes:	94 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 9404 Justice and the Law > 940408 Rehabilitation and Correctional Services @ 100%
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