53866 (2025). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister of Corrections

53866 (2025). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister of Corrections: How much are prisoners paid (if anything) for work that they undertake in prisons?

Hon Mark Mitchell: I am advised that under the Prisoner Incentive Allowance Framework (PIAF), Corrections pays prisoners to take part in work, training, education, and rehabilitation programmes. I am further advised that people in prison take part in this scheme on a voluntary basis. The allowance provided through the PIAF is not a salary or wage, but a small incentive to encourage prisoners to take part in activities that can help with their rehabilitation and reintegration, improving their employability upon release. Money earnt through the PIAF is deposited into the prisoner’s trust fund account, which can be used to buy additional items at the prison canteen or authorised property items. Any remaining funds are paid out to the prisoner when their prison sentence concludes. I refer the member to the attached appendix, which provides a breakdown of the payment scheme for the PIAF.