Chinese Year of the Boar
The firecrackers and dragon boats may have been missing, but
the enthusiasm wasn’t as correctional centres across the State
celebrated Chinese New Year and welcomed the Year of the Boar.
Buddhist monks and nuns provided Chinese sweets, armlets and
incense for an altar while prisoners prepared a Chinese banquet.
The celebrations marked the start of the 4705th year of the Chinese
Lunar calendar, signified by the Year of the Boar.
Prisoners and guests watched a number of videos that reflected
Chinese culture, heritage and religious beliefs. They sampled
Chinese cakes for morning tea and traditional Asian food for lunch.
Boar years are traditionally associated with fertility and virility and
those born in Boar years are said to be honest, straightforward and
patient.
Master Chueh Shan, from the Chung Tian Temple, opened
celebrations at Borallon Correctional Centre before a spectacular lion
dance, performed by members of the Red Dragon Kung Fu school.
Woodford Correctional Centre (WCC), which has about 50 prisoners
of Asian descent, held a ceremony for prisoners, their families and
invited guests in the centre’s gymnasium.
Borallon General Manager Troy Ittensohn said celebrating cultural
events such as Chinese New Year helped to raise awareness of the
different cultures within our society.
Buddhist Monk the Venerable Van Xen Nguyen welcomed everyone
and spoke about the significance of the occasion before a group of
prisoners performed a lion dance to entertain guests.
“Our prison is a community within a community, so it’s important we
celebrate culturally significant events such as Australia Day, Chinese
New Year and other events,” he said. “We are a multicultural
community at Borallon and it’s critical we support all cultures.”
This was followed by a buffet lunch featuring an array of traditional
food including pork, beef, chicken, vegetables, rice and noodles.
Custodial Operations Executive Director Jim Mullen was among the
guests at Darling Downs Correctional Centre (DDCC) where Chinese
New Year was celebrated in the multicultural area.
One of Woodford’s colourful lions
At Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre, celebrations coincided with
the launch of the centre’s Asian Art Project and the opening of a
mediation area, which includes a Buddhist altar. Guests were also
treated to a lion dance and traditional food.
Offender Programs and Services Executive Director Di Taylor said
Chinese New Year celebrations were an opportunity to increase
awareness about cultural diversity, religion and language among the
diverse prisoner population.
Lion dance action at Borallon Correctional Centre
SEQ prison precinct progresses
Work to secure the site at Gatton for the south-east Queensland prison precinct continues with efforts focusing on several
areas.
Department of Natural Resources officers are negotiating with landowners in an effort to secure the parcel of land required for
the project. Subject to successful completion, a series of studies will be undertaken including traffic, environmental and social
assessments.
Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) has also engaged in an extensive community consultation program including a public
meeting attended by more than 200 people, a series of targeted meetings with key community organisations, a shopfront in
the Gatton Art Gallery, a weekly column in the local newspaper, a 1800 number and email address for general inquiries and an
updated Internet site.
The shopfront, which is open on Wednesday’s from 10am until 3pm and Saturday’s from 9am until 1pm, has received more
than 300 inquiries from residents with the majority of queries focussing on the location of the precinct and possible career and
business opportunities associated with it.
A steering committee comprising representatives from the Department of Public Works; Department of Communities; Department
of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation; and the Office of Urban Management; has been formed to progress the
project with Deputy Director-General Alison Hunter chairing monthly meetings.
A presentation on the prison precinct project is planned for the near future to key government departments to help inform their
future planning. A meeting was also held recently with the Gatton Campus of the University of Queensland to identify future
partnership opportunities particularly in areas such as training. The first stage of the project is due for completion by 2010.
Page / CN March 2007
Staff profiles
Ahmed’s faith
helps build understanding
As a Custodial Correctional Officer (CCO), Ahmed Mohamud’s
work brings him into contact with people from diverse cultural
backgrounds.
As a devout Muslim, he is aware of the importance of the role he can
play in dealing with Muslim prisoners.
“I think it is an advantage to have someone from their own cultural
background to talk to,” Ahmed said.
“Because I understand the issues that surround significant events
such as Ramadan, I can liaise with management to help solve
problems,” he said.
It is just one aspect of his work with Queensland Corrective Services
(QCS) which appeals to the Somali-born immigrant.
Ahmed Mohamud at Wolston Correctional Centre
The variety of work situations within QCS is something that also
appeals to Ahmed and it is something he has had plenty of since
graduating from the Queensland Corrective Services Academy last
December.
Attracted by the climate and better job opportunities, Ahmed moved
to Australia in 1995.
Following his initial placement as a casual Corrective Services
Officer in the Relief Pool, Ahmed has worked at Brisbane Women’s
Correctional Centre, Wolston Correctional Centre, the Magistrates’
Courts and Princess Alexandra Hospital Secure Unit.
“I’ve done a lot of security, hotel and hospitality work and driven taxis,”
he said. “I like to deal with people, especially at work.”
However, his friends in Brisbane’s estimated 300-strong Somali
population thought he was taking his desire to deal with people to a
crazy level when he applied to join QCS.
“I’m having the time of my life and the variety has been good as you
get to see all sorts of work situations,” he said.
“I kept telling them it’s not like what you see on television,” he said.
“They believe me now.”
“I like to work in centres because it’s where you see and learn most
about people.”
Ahmed’s passion for meeting people has also seen him make many
friends in the general community.
Ahmed fled the violence of war-torn Somalia at the age of 18 in
search of a better life and settled in New Zealand in 1990, where he
taught himself to speak English.
“I’ve found Australians to be down-to-earth; once they get to know
you, they’re fine.”
“There were very few Somalis in New Zealand and it was scary being
by yourself, but it was a good experience to go through,” he said.
“When I go out with my Australian friends, they like me because
I don’t drink or smoke and can drive them home,” he said with a
laugh.
Wolston’s “Mr Fix it” – Bryn Powell
An old but popular wisdom suggests there are no such things as problems – only solutions.
It is a philosophy that could easily have been penned with Wolston Correctional Correctional
Trade Instructor Bryn Powell in mind.
Bryn’s innovative mind has found solutions to several problems at Wolston resulting in
positive outcomes such as greater productivity in workshops, enhanced security and a
healthier, safer environment.
His knack for trouble shooting has seen Bryn alter the fixed-height swing jigs in his welding
shop to allow height adjustment and make them easier to use.
A storage system also devised by Bryn, means fence panels made at Wolston’s workshops
are now more safely secured and unable to be used in an escape attempt.
But it’s Bryn’s latest device that is arguably his best.
Following numerous complaints from staff and prisoners about the fumes generated by the
welding of galvanised pipes, Bryn set his mind to devising a more efficient method of fume
extraction.
He modified the welding jig and existing extraction system to create a system which extracts
the fumes at the source of each weld.
However, it wasn’t all plain sailing and Bryn said a number of problems were encountered
in the design and construction of his modifications.
“I needed a filter system to catch fumes and debris so I decided to try some stainless steel
pot scourers, which have worked brilliantly,” he said.
Bryn Powwell works on his device which extracts fumes
“It takes a day’s work to convert existing jigs, but the resulting increase in productivity is
worth it. The welding shop has tripled its output of gates.”
There have also been substantial benefits in terms of a healthier work environment for staff
and prisoners.
CN March 2007 / Page