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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Australian prisoners sent to salt mines to build self-esteem | Australian prisoners sent to salt mines to build self-esteem |
| (8 days later) | |
| Prisoners in Australia are being offered an unusual way to defray the costs of their incarceration and to build their savings and self-esteem: by working in a salt mine. | Prisoners in Australia are being offered an unusual way to defray the costs of their incarceration and to build their savings and self-esteem: by working in a salt mine. |
| The mining project, in the inhospitable desert about 155 miles (250km) south-west of Alice Springs, had been struggling to recruit staff and took advantage of a scheme offered by the Northern Territory government. | The mining project, in the inhospitable desert about 155 miles (250km) south-west of Alice Springs, had been struggling to recruit staff and took advantage of a scheme offered by the Northern Territory government. |
| "I appreciate there is no small amount of humour in being the minister sending prisoners to a salt mine. The truth of the matter is that it has proven itself to be a worthwhile programme," said John Elferink, Northern Territory's minister for justice and correctional services. | "I appreciate there is no small amount of humour in being the minister sending prisoners to a salt mine. The truth of the matter is that it has proven itself to be a worthwhile programme," said John Elferink, Northern Territory's minister for justice and correctional services. |
| "It's work aimed at normalisation and lifting people's self-esteem, giving them a chance to build a future for themselves." | "It's work aimed at normalisation and lifting people's self-esteem, giving them a chance to build a future for themselves." |
| In pre-industrial times, salt was such a valuable commodity that it was used as payment for Roman soldiers but mining of it was so dangerous that work was often undertaken by prisoners. | In pre-industrial times, salt was such a valuable commodity that it was used as payment for Roman soldiers but mining of it was so dangerous that work was often undertaken by prisoners. |
| The convicts working at the Karinga Lakes Potash project, a joint-venture between mining companies Rum Jungle Resources and Reward Minerals, earn wages of about A$16 (£9) an hour and are allowed to keep A$44 a week as spending money. | The convicts working at the Karinga Lakes Potash project, a joint-venture between mining companies Rum Jungle Resources and Reward Minerals, earn wages of about A$16 (£9) an hour and are allowed to keep A$44 a week as spending money. |
| The government makes deductions, including jail costs and a 5% donation to a victims' assistance fund. The rest is placed into a trust that is paid when the prisoner is released. | The government makes deductions, including jail costs and a 5% donation to a victims' assistance fund. The rest is placed into a trust that is paid when the prisoner is released. |
| Northern Territory prisoners have also worked as waiters, conveyancers, retailers and labourers since the programme's inception 12 months ago. | Northern Territory prisoners have also worked as waiters, conveyancers, retailers and labourers since the programme's inception 12 months ago. |
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