By Jessica Rowe
Christchurch Men's Prison has opened a series of new trade workshops for prisoners to help with the rebuild of the city.
Tens of thousands of trades workers are needed in Christchurch over the next few years, and the workshops have been set up to help offenders get a job.
Prisoner John says he was as deeply affected by the Christchurch earthquakes as any other resident.
“Just like everyone else, I was really heart broken and sad with the loss of our city and the deaths,” he says.
“I see it as a great opportunity for people like myself to gain employment and reskill and actually help people in the city that I love… I think it is a noble cause.”
Three new workshops have been set up at Christchurch Men's Prison, offering training in various trades including painting, plumbing, drainlaying, roofing and automotive engineering.
Corrections Minister Judith Collins says the training is important not only to help with the Christchurch rebuild, but to enable prisoners to turn their lives around.
Tutors from the local polytechnic will help train the prisoners and graduates will be able to apply for jobs prior to release.
It’s estimated that 30,000 skilled tradespeople will be needed for the rebuild of Christchurch – Corrections aims to train up around 800 prisoners over the next six years.
Prisoners will also take part in rehabilitation programmes alongside training, to ensure they can be trusted when released into people's backyards.
3 News