Management & Training Corporation Australia Pty Ltd

We are excited to announce the works of our talented #inmate #artists will return to the halls of St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst next month for their second show. Parklea’s budding artists first graced the walls of the hospital last year for their inaugural show and it was such a success, they have been asked to exhibit their works again this year. The show will open on Thursday, 19 September and run until 19 November in the Xavier Building, foyer level, main St Vincent’s public hospital building, 390 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst. About 30 #paintings will be on display. Here is a sample of some of the works. Artworks will be for sale and inmates will receive the majority of the proceeds, which will help them establish a new life when they leave prison.  #parklea #inmateart #art

About 200 #Indigenous #inmates at #Parklea Correctional Centre recently celebrated #NAIDOCWeek with cultural dances, digeridoo playing, and a smoking ceremony at our new yarning circle. Inmates enjoyed a barbecue lunch, which included kangaroo and damper, and a cake bearing the #Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. Local #Elder Uncle Colin spoke to the inmates about the importance of learning about #heritage and traditions, while Uncle Pete from Dharug social enterprise Muru Mittigar was again enlisted to teach several inmates cultural dances and songs, which they performed with great pride and enthusiasm. Governor Wayne Taylor said it was important to learn about each other’s cultures to bring about understanding and events like NAIDOC Week created an opportunity to do that. “We are also committed to programs and events that enable Indigenous inmates to reconnect with their heritage and engage with Elders, such as Uncle Colin and Uncle Pete, as it can help in their rehabilitation and improve their wellbeing,” Governor Taylor said. “I’d like to thank Uncle Colin and Uncle Pete for helping celebrate the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through this event and the staff who worked hard to ensure it was a great success.”   #corrections

Correctional officers aren't the only people working behind prison walls. At #Parklea we have an army of people behind the scenes who provide services to inmates. This includes our #warehouse team, who run the prison like a small town. We are looking for a #warehouseofficer to join the team. Inmates wouldn’t get fed, they wouldn’t get their buy-ups, clothing and hygiene items wouldn’t get ordered and rubbish wouldn’t get collected without them. Read more about the essential role the warehouse team play and the interesting work they do here: https://lnkd.in/g4dq4Yj5 To apply for this role, go to: https://lnkd.in/gkXGjYKt #warehousing #corrections

Winter vegetables have been donated by #Parklea Correctional Centre to local charity Carevan Blacktown for those in need. Parklea’s inmates have been spending several weeks tending to veggie patches containing bok choy, sweet rocket and lettuce, as part of a #horticultural program to provide them with skills to improve their chances of employment. About 20 kilograms of vegetables were donated and, weather permitting, we hope to donate more in a few weeks. This was the first donation of vegetables this season to Carevan. Parklea began providing vegetables grown by our inmates and the horticultural team to Carevan last year. Parklea also donated non-perishable food items to Carevan in May and for Christmas hampers last year. Carevan run a food service at Lalor Park Community Hall every Tuesday night and attendees receive hot, nutritious meals, as well as groceries to take home. They rely on food donations to support those who are doing it tough in the Blacktown area and staff were keen to help their community through our partnership with Carevan. If you would like to make a donation or volunteer to help Carevan, go to: https://lnkd.in/gwPjXdbR Pictured: Andrew from Carevan receives the vegetables from Parklea Horticulture Overseer Sanjeev Kumar. #corrections #reducingreoffending

Parklea Correctional Centre today welcomed 13 new officers, the majority of whom are women. Governor Taylor said the seven women and six men graduates were as diverse as the community they will serve, coming from various fields, different cultural backgrounds and ranging in age from 19 to 42. “The type of person attracted to becoming an officer has vastly changed over the years, with Parklea staff representing many different cultural backgrounds and 40 per cent of our workforce are women,” Mr Taylor said. “The diversity of our custodial and non-custodial team enables us to work more effectively with inmates from similarly diverse cultures and backgrounds in what is often a challenging and dynamic environment. “The Parklea team bring all these things together to make a difference by employing MTC’s decency and respect principles and BIONIC (Believe it or Not I Care) philosophy." MTC is recruiting for more officers now. To apply to become a correctional officer, go to: https://lnkd.in/gaE_m7Y8

#Pasifika inmates at #Parklea Correctional Centre have been undertaking a program to help them reconnect with their #culture and #communities to help reduce reoffending. MTC Australia has partnered with Number 8 Prison Project, a #WesternSydney Pasifika-run organisation to deliver the one-day course. The Identity and Reconnection course aims to provide a deeper understanding of Pasifika heritage and how personal beliefs, culture and family values can support reintegration. Inmates learn how to reconnect with their cultural identity, foster a sense of belonging, navigate their time in prison and prepare for the transition home. The course challenges stereotypes and media narratives by teaching the true essence of Pasifika culture through traditional art forms, games, song and talanoa (talk therapy). The day concludes with a choir session to demonstrate the power of singing as a collective, its potential to boost self-esteem, build camaraderie and how music can bridge cultural gaps and foster understanding. The #reducingreoffending initiative has been positively received by Pasifika inmates who have completed the program and more sessions will be held this year. Pictured: Pasifika inmates with MTC Australia and Number 8 Prison Project (N8PP) staff. #corrections #Pasifika #reintegration

It was really lovely to bring all our volunteers together to say thank you and hear about the important work they're doing to help our inmates. It's really heartening to know there are kind people out there who really care about others and want to make a positive contribution to the community.

Parklea is privileged to work with a number of organisations with tireless and enthusiastic #volunteers who provide important services to our inmates. We recently held a morning tea to thank them for the work they do, which also provided an opportunity for them to hear about each other’s programs and make new connections. Underscoring the importance of their contributions, Parklea’s Head of Reducing Reoffending Kate Pham described our volunteers as “an extension of our team” and inmates felt accepted and loved by them. Our volunteers provide services such as pastoral care, mentoring, cultural connections, health and wellbeing, post release support, and donations of books, Christmas packs, clothing and shoes for inmates on release. Parklea’s Deputy Governor Brian Gurney said our volunteers provided a unique sense of hope and motivation to inmates, as well as guidance, mentorship, and emotional support. “Volunteers serve as role models, demonstrating that change and rehabilitation are possible, and that everyone deserves a second chance. “Their presence and commitment contribute to the overall well-being of the inmates, enhancing their chances of successful reintegration into society upon release. “Volunteers also facilitate the reconnection between inmates and their families, which is crucial for their rehabilitation journey, and plays a significant role in reducing recidivism rates.” Thank you to our volunteers and donors from organisations that include: Alpha ; Prison Fellowship; Gideons International; Catholic Care; Number 8 Prison Project; Brahma Kumaris; Kairos; Cross Road; The Salvation Army Australia; Bible Society; Christian Literature Outreach and Blacktown Ponds Lions Club Inc. Thank you also to individual volunteers who dedicate their personal time to support our inmates. #parklea #reducingreoffending

Breakfast cereal, noodles, rice and cans of vegetables have been donated by #Parklea Correctional Centre to local charity Carevan Blacktown for those in need. Carevan run a food service at Lalor Park Community Hall every Tuesday night and attendees receive hot, nutritious meals, as well as groceries to take home. They rely on food donations to support those who are doing it tough in the #Blacktown area and staff were keen to help their community through our partnership with Carevan. Parklea began providing vegetables grown by our inmates and the horticultural team to Carevan last year. Staff also donated food for Christmas hampers and wooden toys made by inmates who work in our cabinet shop were given to the children as presents. If you would like to make a donation or volunteer to help Carevan, go to: https://lnkd.in/gwPjXdbR Pictured: Parklea officer Daniel hands over food donations to Caroline from Carevan. #corrections #charities #notforprofit