The ballad of reading in gaol: Studying at the AMC
Two and a half years ago, reports slammed Canberra’s prison, the Alexander Maconochie Centre, for the number of detainees sitting around bored, unable to better themselves through education or work. COVID had brought education programs at the prison to a complete halt for 18 months.
Now, however, more than a third of detainees are studying — well above the national average, ACT Corrective Services Commissioner Leanne Close said.
A new administration building that opened in February (cost $8 million) provides more areas for education and rehabilitation programs for detainees and improves working conditions for staff, corrections minister Dr Marisa Paterson said.
Staff moved into the building in February. The previous admin areas will be turned into education spaces for detainees later this year: a large group program room, a distance education space, and a space for women. A large classroom is already being used.
Detainees study construction, business, cooking, and safe work and hygienic practices, and take part in tertiary-level distance education courses.
Dr Paterson said the education and rehabilitation programs will “help reduce the likelihood of detainees re-offending and returning to detention”.
ANU experts explain the election
Political pundits from the Australian National University will discuss election issues in a series of short Expert Explainer videos.
Professor Nicholas Biddle, head of the School of Politics and International Relations, asks whether Australia is losing hope in the future — optimism has fallen to historic lows: in a country with low unemployment and stabilising inflation, many believe their children will have bleaker lives than their own.
He discusses his recent report which found that life satisfaction has dropped to its nadir since the COVID-19 lockdown and that more than one-third of Australians now suffer financial stress. As a result, many — particularly young people — have stopped trusting government institutions. Professor Biddle suspects this pessimistic outlook will influence the election result.
In another video, Dr Jill Sheppard, a senior lecturer at the School, argues that the ‘cost of living’ will dominate the election, and that both Labor and Liberals will try to use it to their advantage.
