A CURIOSITY to know what was behind the walls of the Bunbury Regional Prison led to eight years of voluntary work for local woman Debbie Panetta.
The local real estate agent had also worked with high risk teens who often had criminal records and ended up in prison.
“I was interested to learn how first-timers coped and what programs were in place to break the cycle so they would not return,” Ms Panetta said.
She became a volunteer in the Independent Visitor Service, which aims to ensure prisons operate justly and humanely and offenders in custody as well as custodial and administrative staff are given a voice.
“I found the experience both rewarding and a little daunting at first, to be able to talk and walk freely, if you choose, with the prisoners,” she said.
“To gain their trust is a big thing when you are in a prison environment.”
Ms Panetta found it rewarding to be able to give them a voice to speak, document and report their concerns through an independent department which answers directly to Parliament.
To gain their trust is a big thing when you are in a prison environment.
- Debbie Panetta, prison volunteer
“I feel a sense of achievement for them when you may have stopped a very serious problem escalating, thr- ough to getting them help with parole issues, housing, bullying, education and daily dramas that arise when you are locked in a high security facility,” she said.
Ms Panetta said she encouraged anyone who was able to give up a few hours a month to apply for the rewarding role.
Full training and support is provided. For more information email kaye.towers-hammond@ oics.wa.gov.au or jose ph.wallam@oics.w a.gov.au