Parklea Lends A
Helping Hand
Before
Written By Jay Wilson, Parklea Correctional Centre
After
Pictured Clockwise: Parklea HR manager, Janice Krieger, raising funds for the PCYC; Parklea industries manager, Jay Wilson, does time for the PCYC; Parklea correctional manager intelligence, Jeff Deal, was happy to be involved in the PCYC’s Time 4 Kids promotion; Kitchen cabinets made by inmates at Parklea Correctional Centre for the PCYC; A PCYC kitchen before the installation of new cabinets, made by inmates at Parklea.
F
or generations, the Police Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) organization has been well recognized by local communities, for its extraordinary and altruistic work with young people across Australia. With over 85,000 members and plans to increase the number of clubs in the next few years, PCYC is changing young people’s lives for the better. In New South Wales alone, there are 57 PCYC clubs and many of these require significant refurbishment work, to make them functional and comfortable for those using the facilities and participating in the many activities on offer. The GEO Group Australia managers and operators of the Parklea Correctional Centre, saw an opportunity for the industries division at Parklea to lend a helping hand. Parklea’s general manager Peter Ma’a, a strong advocate of the PCYC organization, was pleased to be in a position to offer the services of the centre’s cabinet shop to assist with the
refurbishment of the Blacktown, Mt. Druitt, Parramatta and Cowra PCYC facilities. Inmates employed within the GEO industries trade workshops, engage in vocational training programs, to develop new skills and to contribute to community initiatives such as the refurbishment undertaken at the PCYC clubs. Parklea also takes part in the PCYC’s Time 4 Kids promotion each year, as well as different club activities such as the Reach for the Stars program. Time 4 Kids aims to raise awareness and community support for PCYC’s work with young offenders and young people ‘at-risk’. To raise awareness and funds, Parklea correctional managers were locked-up in a ‘cell’ at a local hardware store. Through Time 4 Kids, PCYC police work to provide a safe environment in which young people are given opportunities to engage in fun, safe activities and develop their leadership potential.
Reach for the Stars was developed for girls aged thirteen to seventeen, who are at risk of developing anti-social and negative behavior patterns, that may lead to crime. The program focuses on self-confidence and self-belief, empowering young woman to embrace their future. It aims to encourage girls to be confident about their individuality in order to resist and deflect peer pressure, make healthy lifestyle choices and strive towards being the best person they can be. Parklea Correctional Centre employees Rodney Katieli, Janis Evans and Jeremy O’Brien, attended Blacktown PCYC recently to take part in the program. During the visit, Parklea staff gave the girls an insight into what life is like in prison. Program participants also got a chance to meet two of the centre’s detection dogs, Quarda and Bailey.
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International Services