‘Satisfying’ program a win-win

A LITTLE help from an unexpected source has made a world of difference in the lives of Tony and Judy Lockley at the Mornington property they have called home together for more than 30 years.

Over the past eight years, the pensioners have regularly received a helping hand in the garden from someone performing community service.

Today is Corrections Day, which celebrates the work of community corrections staff and their colleagues in the Tasmania Prison Service.

Community Corrections supervises offenders on court-imposed community correction orders, some of whom work in the community carrying out gardening, maintenance and clean-up work.

Supervisor John Hay has been in his line of work for more than 30 years and most enjoys the rehabilitative aspects of the role.

“I don’t try to treat it as punishment for them, it’s more getting them to try something they haven’t tried before,” he said.

“When they start, some of them have got a chip on their shoulders like a log and when they’ve finished it’s nice if they shake your hand.

“Later down the track you might run into them and they come up to you and thank you.

“It’s very satisfying. It makes the job worthwhile.”

The Lockleys said they had only had positive experiences and it was never a concern having an offender at their home.

“They come and do their work and there’s no issue,” Judy said. “I take them a biscuit or a cup of tea – they earn that for what they do.”