PRISONERS at HMP La Moye have teamed up with Ports of Jersey to refurbish all 160 memorial benches placed around the Island’s harbours.
Inmates are being tasked with cleaning, painting and maintaining the benches and their plaques in a new project aiming to support their rehabilitation.
Ports historic harbours workers transport the benches to the prison workshop and supply all the equipment needed.
The initial phase of work will see 80 to 100 benches refurbished and will cost £7,500, being paid for by Ports of Jersey, for materials and prisoners’ time.
If deemed a success, the project could be extended into a rolling programme of work with the prison service’s vocational education team.
Former Housing Minister Anne Pryke, whose husband Roger is remembered on a memorial bench at Rozel Harbour, thanked the prisoners and Ports of Jersey for refurbishing it.
“[The bench] is amazing and such a great asset,” she said. “I’m so very pleased to have the plaque replaced and it’s such a wonderful project.”
Historic harbours manager Mark Byrne said all benches were routinely maintained but progress had previously been “slower than we would like”.
He said: “We approached the prison service to see if this project would interest them as part of their rehabilitation work with prisoners. They were really interested, and we took it from there.”
Ports has already donated two sanders to allow more inmates to take part in the project.
HMP La Moye’s manager of vocational training Peter Gould said his team were “honoured” to be invited to support the project.
He said: “The benches mean so much to the families and friends, and our committed and dedicated team is pleased to inspire fond memories.”
Mr Gould added that the project provided “purposeful activity” for the inmates.
He said: “The project encourages great teamwork, determination, and compassion for what these benches mean to others. We are hoping it is successful so we can make it a permanent venture.”
