Clarence Valley Council, United Services Union locked in heated debate over inmates working in Grafton

Plans to put Clarence Correctional Centre prisoners to work in parks and recreational spaces have kicked off a war of words between a northern NSW council and a powerful union.

Aerial view of the Clarence Correctional Centre at Grafton. Photo supplied by Corrective Services, Serco.

A North Coast council and a powerful union are at loggerheads over a proposal to use prison inmates from Clarence Correctional Centre to work on outdoor projects.

The United Services Union states Clarence Valley Council wants to use prison inmates for repair and maintenance work in parks and reserves such as Market Square in Grafton.

But the council has hit back in a statement accusing the union of embarking on a campaign “built on misinformation and scaremongering”.

One of the United Services Union flyers in Grafton.

Northern regional organiser John Hickson said the main issue which upset the union was the lack of communication from the council.

“The way we found out was a phone call from our delegate that two supervisors had been summoned to a meeting about areas where prisoners could work around Grafton,” he said.

“We were upset because we weren’t informed or consulted about it … we even sent a letter to the council asking them to respond to the issue, which they’ve failed to do.

“What’s happening is so wrong because it should be council work for council employees — not for prisoners.”

In response, Mr Hickson started a campaign on Tuesday – including flyers and a placard on a bus – to make Grafton aware of the council’s proposal.

“The community response so far has been absolute shock and outrage — they knew nothing about it too,” he said.

“They’re shocked inmates (could) be in Grafton’s community parks where there are children playing and there’s public toilets.

“Our key argument here is safety not only for our members but safety for the community.”

General secretary of United Services Union Graeme Kelly and chair of the Northern Rivers Unionist network John Hickson. Picture: Adam Hourigan.

The council stated key outdoor staff have been asked to provide feedback on the pilot program, which, if it goes ahead, would provide work experience to inmates.

“The ideas floated at a meeting with Serco executives early in August include repair and maintenance of park and recreational spaces,” the council stated.

“The pilot program is at the inception end of development and no details have been finalised or agreed.

“Council management is disappointed in the response by the United Services Union, which is built on misinformation and scaremongering.”

The statement declared the program “is not intended to replace council staff”.

“(Council is even) preparing to increase its Open Space workforce by up to six employees to accommodate increased workloads due to recent upgrades and the influx of tourists to the area,” it read.

Clarence Correctional Centre. Picture: Jonathan Perez

Later in the afternoon, council issued another statement, which welcomed a decision to discontinue a matter that was being heard in the Industrial Relations Commission today.

“(The ruling gives) council clear direction to progress discussions with staff and the union about partnering with Serco to establish a day release work program, noting any activities should not be those that are contained within current staff work program,” the statement read.

Clarence Valley Council has been contacted for further comment.