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Wesley Uniting Employment’s Work for the Dole crew has once again been honoured for their part in a refurbishment project at Long Bay Jail, which will provide housing for recently released prisoners to prevent them from becoming homeless.

NSW Attorney General and Minister for Justice John Hatzistergos and NSW Department of Corrective Services Commissioner Ron Woodham officially opened the facility, now known as Nunyara, on Monday 28 April.

Mr Hatzisergos commended the Wesley Uniting Employment (WUE) team for their outstanding work and their commitment to mutually beneficial community projects such as this.

The Nunyara opening is the second time this month that Wesley’s Work for the Dole programmes have been recognised by senior politicians. 

The WUE team refurbished 100 cells which were no longer being used, and converted them into single-person accommodation for ex-inmates and parolees. Homelessness is a serious issue for many people following their release from jail.  Former inmates often break ties with their families or lose their previous tenancies, and so have nowhere to go. This in turn leads to a greater likelihood of re-offending.

WUE has, in partnership with the Department of Corrective Services, developed a programme to help ex-prisoners reintegrate more successfully into the community by offering them life skills training and ongoing support to equip them to live independently and avoid falling back into old habits. It’s another great example of the Work for the Dole programme providing important skills and training to participants, while also enabling them to give back to the community.

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Official opening & revealing of the plaque by the Hon John Hatzistergos & NSW Dept Corrective Services Commissioner Ron Woodham

Speech by the Hon John Hatzistergos MLC, Attorney General & Minister for Justice