EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND WORK We believe that projects like Drake Hall are a real win-win for businesses and local communities alike – the more productive people are whilst in prison, the more they can learn and the better their chances of succeeding once they leave. We’re not just talking about prisoners, we’re talking about people who have a huge amount of potential and skills, and above all, it’s about changing people’s lives and giving them a second chance. Halfords spokesperson (see Promising Practice on page 34) PROMISING PRACTICE: Therapeutic and community-oriented programmes There are an increasing number of innovative prison programmes in which prisoners participate in work schemes designed to benefit their local community or which are driven by environmental and sustainability principles. There has also been a recent growth in projects that combine work and vocational training with therapeutic approaches that are of direct benefit to prisoners. In Adelaide Women’s Prison in Australia, the Greyhound Adoption Programme (GAP) allows prisoners to train retired greyhounds to be pets and make the transition from racing careers to domesticated life. The programme gives women in custody an opportunity to learn new skills and turn their lives around, so that they can contribute to society in a meaningful way upon their release. In Auckland Regional Women’s Corrections facility, New Zealand, prisoners learn practical beekeeping (apiculture) whilst also studying for a certificate in the subject. The course provides participants with highly sought-after skills for employment in a commercial beekeeping enterprise or for starting their own business – or simply for pursuing beekeeping as a hobby after release. The honey produced is either used in the prison, gifted to prison visitors or donated to local charities. Prison staff work in partnership with the South Australia Greyhound Association to coordinate and deliver the programme. Trainers attend the prison four days a week and teach the women skills in areas of dog care such as first aid, grooming, diet, interacting with people, walking on a lead and daily exercise. One hundred and thirty former racing greyhounds have been retrained since the programme was established in 2015. Since the programme was established in 2016, a total of 17 women have completed the one-year programme, with some graduating with a certificate in apiculture. Some of the women who graduate from the programme go on to mentor others. The greyhounds are a valuable addition to the prison environment and have proved to be a positive point of connection between prisoners and staff. Prisoners who have fostered a dog have noted how the animals have improved their mental health and taught them about responsibility. The programme has been such a success that it was expanded to Mobilong men’s prison in 2018. It’s a positive interaction, and the pride and dignity that comes with it is worth its weight in gold. Australian Correctional Services Minister speaking about the Greyhound Adoption Programme (see Promising Practice above) Penal Reform International and Thailand Institute of Justice | Guide to the rehabilitation and social reintegration of women prisoners | 35