Prisoners to assist in Christchurch rebuild

A new trade training complex has been opened Christchurch Men’s Prison to prepare prisoners to help rebuild the New Zealand city following February’s earthquake.

Three workshops will provide training in plumbing, roofing and drain laying, painting and decorating, and automotive engineering to around 130 extra prisoners annually.

Prisoners will be prioritised for training based on their upcoming release date and their willingness to help in Christchurch.

The 17-week and seven-week courses, each of which cater for 16 prisoners, will be run by tutors from the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology.

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