Podium position for prisoners

Friday 27 February 2015

Inmates at La Moye are using their carpentry, painting and horticultural skills to get the Island in medal position this summer.

They've been given the job of making all the rostrums for this summer's NatWest Island Games and growing the flowers to get the award ceremonies blooming.

Ten prisoners are tasked with making the eight rostrums and 42 planters needed for the Games before another ten take on the job of sanding and painting them. Around 18 working in La Moye's horticultural department have the job of nurturing around 400 gold, silver, bronze, red, white and blue flowers to fill the planters that will form centrepieces at all the award ceremonies.

Island Games Organiser Steve Bailey said: “Getting la Moye involved meant that the Games had reached out to prison inmates who have to date shown a great pride in the work they have undertaken.

“I am equally proud that we have achieved our aim of making the Games an inclusive event one that has reached out to everyone on the Island.

“I cannot wait to see the flowers displays; the team working on this project are as keen as the carpentry shop to show what they can do, everyone working for us is proud of Jersey and want to help showcase Jersey.”

Chris Wilson from the States of Jersey Prison Service said: "The staff and prisoners that work in the associated areas were delighted to hear they were making a contribution to the Island Games."

The 2015 NatWest Island Games kick off on 27 June with 24 Islands and around 3,000 athletes taking part and with 1,664 gold, silver and bronze medals up for grabs, 279 more than at the Commonwealth Games, the podiums are set to see lots of action during the Games.