Minimum security prison inmates involved in community project in Broken Hill
Rehabilitation can be one of the biggest challenges for people who find themselves in trouble with the law. But a group of minimum-security inmates in far west New South Wales are hopeful their involvement in a community project will be their final accomplishment from behind bars.
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00:00A few kilometres from the Broken Hill Correctional Centre, a group of inmates are helping to
00:07restore a nature reserve to its former glory.
00:11The goal?
00:12Rehabilitation for the area's long-term future and themselves.
00:17This has probably been the best thing I've ever done to rehabilitate myself.
00:21I've been in jail a while, in and out, and I think it's the end, this one's done it.
00:27This man is one of seven who are taking part in Landcare's Imperial Lakes project.
00:33The former recreation area was neglected for decades, but is now being transformed into
00:38a sustainability hub for native flora and fauna.
00:42The goal is to create an inspirational place for people to come and relax, enjoy the natural
00:49environment, respect the wildlife that's here.
00:53Landcare rangers working on the project are also being helped by local volunteers.
00:57I was a bit daunted when I first seen it for the work that was involved, but we've progressively
01:04been chipping away at it and we've got a good team of volunteers that come every Saturday.
01:08The partnership with Corrective Services is showing signs of helping the environment along
01:13with those who are doing the work.
01:15I'd like to see it finished, I really would.
01:18It's helped me anyway, I've never had the chance to do anything like this in jail, and
01:23this is pretty good, it's neat, I hope they continue.
01:26The ultimate aim of this sustainability project is to attract tourists to the region and provide
01:32locals with their very own outback paradise.