Prisoners at Victoria’s Beechworth Correctional Centre have celebrated the creation of their 50 swag as part of a project to help people experiencing homelessness.
The swags have been produced as part of the Ruffy Swag Project – a partnership between Corrections Victoria, Uniting Vic.Tas and Carevan.
The waterproof and lightweight swags are designed to protect those sleeping rough from all weather conditions, giving them a safe and dry space they can take with them anywhere.
The program launched at Beechworth in December 2023, with six men in custody participating. In July 2024, the 50th swag came off the production line and was delivered to a person in need.
A community volunteer with expensive experience taught the men how to cut patterns and use industrial sewing machines to produce the swags.
Two of the men now work in the program full time, with the other men volunteering one day a week. The two full time volunteers now train and oversee new participants in the program.
The Ruffy Swag Project not only helps people sleeping rough in Victoria and NSW, but also gives men at Beechworth valuable and transferrable skills, enhancing their job opportunities upon release.
The Ruffy Swag Project is one of many community-focused programs for men at Beechworth designed to give them a sense of purpose and boost their skills as they prepare for life outside of prison.
For participant Abraham*, the program has equipped him with lifelong skills, as well as a sense of accomplishment through giving back to the community.
“Being involved in the Ruffy Swag program has given me lifelong skills that I can apply to the real world,” says Abraham.
“It fills me with a sense of accomplishment to be able to help people less fortunate.”
*Name changed to prevent identification.
