Alice Springs rodeo helps young inmates connect with community

ABC NEWS (Australia)

An upcoming rodeo in Alice Springs is giving four young men who are inmates a second chance. The young inmates will learn to ride bucking bulls at the event, as part of a program to reduce reoffending and reintegrate them into society.

Transcript

00:00 19-year-old Jefferson Woody can't change his past, but he's determined to not let it impact

00:07 his future. Right now he's an inmate in the Alice Springs Correctional Centre, but this

00:12 weekend Jefferson will take part in the local rodeo as part of a program to reconnect young

00:17 offenders with community.

00:18 I've never seen a bull in my life. I just spend most of my time behind bars.

00:25 This year marks the first time correctional services have allowed prisoners to ride in

00:29 a rodeo, with four young offenders taking part in the program.

00:33 A greater level of pride, achievement, and from a mental health perspective, they're

00:37 stepping outside their normal framework.

00:40 With crime in Alice Springs making national headlines, there's a huge need for the program.

00:45 Anything that we can do that we can work with men towards their change process I think is

00:51 really important.

00:53 And some hope the rodeo could also lead the inmates to find work in the agricultural industry.

00:58 I could take ten people in my stock camp any day of the week. It doesn't matter what training

01:03 or don't care, we can train them on the way.

01:05 While the men have committed a range of crimes, including domestic violence, they believe

01:09 they deserve a second chance.

01:12 Everyone makes mistakes in life, you know, no one's perfect. Everyone's done bad things

01:16 just as part of life, but if you do believe in change, this is the biggest change, you

01:19 know, around here, young, coming out of, especially coming out of prison and given the opportunity

01:24 to come out and do this, it's a once in a lifetime, you know?

01:27 Their future in their own hands.

01:30 [ Silence ]

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