Prisoners' donation welcomed

Parents and children at Bunbury Hospital’s children’s ward now have a better place to retreat in a non-clinical atmosphere because of a donation from Bunbury prisoners.

Former Bunbury Hospital patient Clint Knop noticed there was no outdoor furniture at the childrens’ ward for parents and children to use and wanted to do something about it.

After contacting Bunbury Regional Prison, two prisoners were invited to make two outdoor picnic tables—one for adults and one for children— to be added to the outdoor play area at the hospital.

After a donation of jarrah from Cullity Timbers, two prisoners with carpentry experience and carpentry instructor Jeff Hookham took two months to construct the two tables valued at about $2600.

Mr Knop said he thought the donation from the prison was a good way in which two government departments could build a good relationship.

Bunbury Regional Prison superintendent Andy Smith said the prisoners learnt new skills by working on the tables.

‘‘There is also a cognitive benefit through repaying society, showing they can be useful community members,’’ Supt Smith said.

Bunbury Hospital operations manager Susan Kay said the donated tables arrived on Thursday and were now being put to good use.

‘‘It increases amenity for families and children especially at a stressful time,’’ Ms Kay said.

‘‘The hospital would like to thank Clint and Corrective Service and the prisoners who worked on this,’’ she said.

Supt Smith said prisoners would be refurbishing a number of old park benches at the hospital over the coming months.