When a team works together

The South Coast Correctional Centre Administration Building needed a new reception counter.  The old one had become problematic due to awkward work heights, poor ergonomics, and deterioration. The goal was to create a design that not only resolved these issues but also made an impact visually while showcasing the capabilities of CSI Furniture.

The team came together with the main design primarily led by Steven Foster, CSI Operations Manager, with assistance from CSI Administration Officer Ella Brennan.  Ella was studying Interior Design in her own time and jumped at the chance to utilise her new skills.  

People in custody operating the CNC machinery in the workshop played a key role in bringing the design to life, meticulously programming the shape-cutting of over 200 separate pieces to match the design specifications.

The counter was manufactured by inmates from CSI Furniture, under the supervision of Senior Overseer Anthony Sewell. Typically, a project of this nature would involve constructing frames and components in the workshop, with most of the assembly and finishing work completed on-site during installation. However, for this project, the team aimed to have it fully built and assembled in the workshop by the inmates while ensuring it could be disassembled into six separate sections. These sections were carefully designed to fit within the internal dimensions of the elevator access to the area so it could be moved into place for final install.

The counter was installed by CSI Furniture Overseers Anthony Sewell and Phillip Hornig. Due to its location within the Centre, the inmates who built it were unable to complete the installation.

From start to finish, ten inmates worked on the project.  Inmates involved frequently expressed that this was one of the most rewarding and fulfilling projects they had worked on, giving them a strong sense of accomplishment.

Although no formal courses were running at the time, this project provided inmates with valuable hands-on experience in technical curve work, particularly during the construction of the base frames. Throughout the process, the team encountered several challenges, with many of the most effective solutions coming directly from the inmates themselves.

At times, the team were unsure whether the project was too ambitious, and the technical work might be too much of an obstacle for inmates, but the team came together. One inmate took a keen interest in the project and stepped up to lead a team in its construction, demonstrating initiative and problem-solving skills.