Congratulations to the team at The U-Turn Construction Pathways Program at the Adelaide Women's Prison who have taken out the Industry Collaboration Award at the SA Training Awards.

The project is a collaboration between DCS, Mossop Construction + Interiors, Totalspace Design and TAFE SA.  It  has so far seen 5 women  successfully transition into the community with opportunities they would never have pursued before this program.

As part of this project women in prison are gaining construction qualifications through an innovative infrastructure project to upgrade the Adelaide Women's Prison's main accommodation block.

Selected women in prison are working alongside Mossop Construction and Interiors and TafeSA to upgrade accommodation facilities.

The much needed upgrade to the previous dormitory style accommodation provides a contemporary living environment, one that is more favourable for accessing rehabilitation opportunities. The design supports more normalised living by providing shared dining/kitchen/association areas along with the privacy offered through ensuite toilet and shower facilities. This partnership is an excellent example of the public and private sectors working together to achieve positive outcomes for prisoners.

All prisoners recruited to the project have undergone an expression of interest and interview process; much similar to what they would experience in the community. Participation is giving prisoners the ability to earn a nationally accredited qualification in building & construction and to work in an environment which aims to simulate what they may experience in the community.

The program is ongoing and there are currently ten women on the program. The department is hopeful these women will also achieve high levels of success with gaining community employment opportunities through their participation.

The South Australian Training Awards hosted by the Training and Skills Commission are the State's peak awards for Vocational Education and Training, recognising quality, excellence and innovation in training.

Congratulations and well done to everyone involved in the project