Jail can either be a haunting experience or it can provide a wake-up call for new prison offenders.
Margaret, a first-time inmate, decided to serve her two and a half year sentence with a positive attitude and get the most out of it.
The 46-year-old spends her time working at the Corrective Services Industries (CSI) logistics warehouse along with 20 other female inmates from the Dillwynia Correctional Centre and the Parramatta Transitional Centre.
Located at the John Morony complex, CSI aims to gives female offenders job skills and qualifications in logistics to lead productive lives when released from custody.
The former nurse’s life has changed forever as she can’t get back into the hospital system, something she was ‘‘truly passionate’’ about.
She said that despite being heartbroken, she has learned to accept the change and work her way up in logistics and management.
‘‘Every inmate who walks into prison has a choice,’’ Margaret said.
‘‘You can either serve your jail sentence wisely or waste your time dreading and being negative. It’s all about the attitude.
‘‘I have learned that being in jail is a lot more than serving time. It’s about having the support you need from other inmates, sharing stories and helping each other stay out of trouble.’’
Serving some of her time at Dillwynia, Margaret is now at Parramatta with just six months left to serve.
She hopes to get a job in management when she is released and take with her all the skills she has learned on the job.
With a forklift licence and a certificate in administration, Margaret said she ‘‘can do almost anything a man can do now’’.
Logistics manager Shaun McClafferty said a stable job could reduce the risk of reoffending and give offenders the chance to make a valuable contribution to the community.
‘‘They have access to a wide range of opportunities and can build a portfolio of skills which help them in the outside world,’’ Mr McClafferty said.
‘‘They can build skills in team work and customer service as well as do a variety of courses in literacy and numeracy. We like to work them into a routine and encourage them to do something with their time.’’
Mr McClafferty has held his position for 24 years and said his job was rewarding as it gave inmates another chance to do well in life.
‘‘My favourite part of the job is when I receive emails and phone calls from former inmates telling me they have jobs now,’’ he said.
CSI is constantly working to increase its networks with prospective employers for inmates who have gained vital job skills and experience.
It prepares inmates to gain employment in fields such as clerical work, administration, warehousing, hygiene, truck driving, forklift driving and traffic management.
Operating since 2007, the 900 square metre warehouse provides goods and services to the state’s correctional system, other government agencies and the private sector. These goods and services include engineering, furniture, print, textiles, technology, food manufacturing and agriculture.
