ProPrint recently toured the printing facilities of Corrective Services Industries (CSI) – the commercial arm of Corrective Services NSW – to understand how it works with the local printing industry and inmates to gain employment and skills.
Corrective Services Industries (CSI) – the commercial arm of Corrective Services NSW – employs more than 5000 people in custody across 120 business units within 14 different industries across 29 correctional centres.
For more than 30 years, CSI has empowered inmates to gain employment skills and qualifications while in custody as well as provide work release programs and pathways to employment.
ProPrint recently visited Long Bay Correctional Complex in Sydney to understand how CSI operates in one of its industries – producing print and signage work and how it integrates with the local printing industry.
The equipment used within CSI’s printing facilities at Long Bay features a number of brands familiar to the printing industry including HP, Zünd, Epson, Roland DG, and Mimaki and is located within a facility in the Correctional Complex.
Through its print operations, CSI provides an extensive range of products and services for the day-to-day operation of NSW correctional centres and also manufactures and supplies sign and print work in partnership with the private sector and government.
“We specialise in overflow and import replacement work, supporting Australian businesses to keep manufacturing onshore,” said CSI marketing manager, Donna Elayadi.
“Our clients are varied, but they all have one goal in common: by working with CSI, they contribute to creating safer communities for us all.”
CSI programs provide work readiness capability for people in custody to enhance their opportunities to gain employment post-release, reducing recidivism and enhancing community safety.
“CSI business units replicate the real-world working environment that allows people in custody to participate in work programs providing opportunities to learn new skills and gain employment experience,” Elayadi said.
“Providing people in custody with the opportunity to participate in meaningful work and develop skills they can use in the community significantly enhances the opportunity for post-release employment.
“It also empowers inmates to gain employment skills and qualifications while in custody. We continue to surpass industry benchmark performance for correctional industries globally with innovation at the forefront. We treat land, resources, and people with great respect,” she said.
All work completed by CSI is managed by trade qualified overseers, including ProPrint Awards Printer 50 finalist Angelo Varnakulasingham and his team.
“The CSI Standards of Customer Service Management provide a total commitment to servicing customer needs,” Elayadi said.
“CSI staff at all levels, are committed to fulfilling customer needs in a friendly, responsive, and professional manner. Serving the customer is the most important part of our business.
“Our widespread industry facilities and job ready workforce means that we have robust contingency plans in place for the fulfilment of orders. Our warehousing and logistics services can facilitate long-and short-term storage solutions, as well as deliveries across New South Wales and interstate.”
CSI currently works with more than 100 employers across NSW to provide skilled individuals eager to work and find pathways to employment. Companies from within the local printing industry who are interested in finding out more can contact business manager operations David Rickwood on 02 4582 2420.
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