7. AARON GILMORE (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Corrections
What support has the Department of Corrections provided to the people of Christchurch following last month’s earthquake?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS (Minister of Corrections) Link to this
I am pleased to report that prisoners have been hard at work supporting the people of Christchurch since the earthquake last month. The three Canterbury prison kitchens have put together 5,000 ration packs, 350 heat-and-eat meals, and 500 packs of fresh vegetables harvested from the prisons’ organic vegetable gardens. Prisoners have assembled 5,000 sanitation packs, which have been provided to welfare agencies for distribution to those in need. The Department of Corrections has also provided a 44-foot shipping container of surplus supplies to civil defence. The supplies included 30,000 bottles of handwash, 185,000 antibacterial wipes, and a number of water containers.
What else has the Department of Corrections been doing to help Christchurch recover from the earthquake?
Hon JUDITH COLLINS Link to this
Since the earthquake, offenders on community work have been clearing the streets and helping schools to get up and running. They have also been helping to tidy up local marae and assist in the relocation of some of the Christchurch City Mission services. This weekend prisoners will be making 2,000 lunches for the Farmy Army and the Student Volunteer Army. Department vehicles will also be used to help transport student army volunteers. I acknowledge the hundreds of Department of Corrections staff who have kept our prison and probation services running in Canterbury despite facing considerable difficulties of their own at home.