With inmates allowed the chance to work on the farm as part of their re-settlement from up to two years before they finish their sentence Matt says it’s a valuable opportunity for them to start the process of getting back into society. “What’s important with these inmates is not what they’ve done before, but what they’re going to do next. We try and show them that there is a role for them. We provide work and a purpose and show that industries such as agriculture are important in society, encouraging them to get as many relevant qualifications as possible while they’re with us. “Of course not everyone who works on the farm with us will eventually go on to work in the dairy sector when they leave. But there are many that have and have built successful careers off the back of it,” explains Matt who manages the herd and supervises the inmates alongside colleague Pete Ruck. “We give them the chance to learn and be part of a valued team. They’re involved in every aspect of the day to day running of the herd, coming in at 6am for milking and staying until the end of afternoon milking at about 5.30pm.
“Importantly they’re also given the chance to learn new skills and gain practical qualifications. They can take a number of proficiency tests including their materials handler test and tractor test as well as milking and husbandry tests. One inmate is also looking to take his DIY AI certificate too,” says Matt.
Integrating inmates back in to Society is an important part of the work of HMP Usk and its satellite campus HMP Prescoed undertakes this work. “There are inmates working in a wide variety of roles, with many taking on practical roles with local councils and others working as mechanics.
ABOVE RIGHT Fifth calved Bettiscombe Igniter Pinkie 182 EX91 stood reserve champion at Usk Show 2013.
“The aim is to give them a sense of worth in whatever they’re doing and equip them with skills to help them avoid going back to the life that got them here in the first place.”
While those working on the farm have daily contact with the farm staff and visitors they also get among the wider farming and public on a regular basis, with the farm hosting open days for a number of organisations, including local vet practices. “This really helps the inmates as they get the chance to be seen as part of the team and can see the fruits of their labour being admired by visitors.
“By far one of the best things we do on that front is the small amount of showing we undertake each year, taking cattle to local shows, such as Usk and Chepstow. We involve the inmates in every part of the showing experience, from cattle selection, through to preparation and, on the day, showing itself,” says Matt. “It’s a great experience for them and helps them get back among larger numbers of people than they’d normally see here at the farm. But it’s also a very valuable experience for the local community. “They’re able to see what we’re doing to help integrate inmates back in
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We have up to 28 inmates a day working with us on the farm
to the community and they can also see the pride the inmates take in what they’re doing. It helps break down a lot of barriers in peoples’ minds about the prison service and prisoners and shows them that a lot of inmates are good people who’ve made a few wrong choices in life.” The role of the prison service is to punish, but also to educate and help inmates avoid making those same mistakes again. “Of course we can’t transform every inmate in to something they’re not and unfortunately we do see a few faces coming back round in the system again every so often. But we’re also able to help a lot of them find decent jobs in many walks of life. “Their families are the ones it really matters for, getting these lads back out in society and in a good job means they can provide for themselves and their families, with families often having put their lives on hold to wait for a loved one to be released.”
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Matt says those who want to make a career in farming often find jobs quickly because of the training they’ve had at Cilwrgi. “Giving them the practical skills is the most important thing we do. The industry is crying out for well skilled, committed workers and that’s what these lads are. “They have to choose to work on the farm while they’re at Prescoed. By choosing to come here and milk cows at 6am they’re putting the cows first rather than themselves, something few of them will have considered before.” And with 112 milkers and all replacements home reared there’s plenty for the team to be doing every day, says Matt. “We’re aiming for 120 milkers, but we’ve had a few TB breakdowns in the last five years which have meant we’ve lost cows. Bought-in animals have helped replace those, but we’re still not quite back to where we want to be.” Milk from the herd is sold to First Milk on a Tesco contract, with the farm being one of about 50 farms in the area used to fulfil the Welsh milk
THE JOURNAL AUGUST 2015 33
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
MOOANDBAA.COM
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