During his incarceration, Mr Allwell has held pretty much every job and completed most of the courses the prison has to offer.

But finally, he is part of a course that he feels will give him some practical skills to help him gain employment and transition back into the community.

Mr Allwell is in a small group taking part in a new course teaching inmates civil construction skills.

It comes as part of the prison's change in focus to increase the education and training inmates receive in vocational subjects.

A Justice and Community Safety Directorate spokeswoman said the prison had implemented programs that directly relate to areas of skills shortages in the ACT to help increase an inmate's chances of employment upon release.

These qualifications include the new construction course, a certificate III in bread baking and cakes and pastry and a certificate III in horticulture.

Mr Allwell was sentenced to 11 years and nine months in jail in 2015 for a string of armed robberies. He is eligible for parole next year.

Having never visited a prison, it is an intimidating proposition to travel to the Hume facility to conduct an interview.

The security is rigorous, with a metal detector that has padded arms that eject you from the machine should you be carrying something you shouldn't.

After the traditional undressing ceremony, removing belts, watches and shoes, you're in.

The friendly staff take some of the edge off and really, once you get inside, the prison isn't all that intimidating.

The high fences are always visible in the distance and there are cameras everywhere you look, but there are also big open spaces and the classroom where the interview takes place is nicer than some high schools.

Mr Allwell is mild-mannered and friendly. He freely admits that prior to prison his life was a mess and he is eager to show that his time inside has changed him for the better.

"I've wasted a big chunk of the prime of my life," he said.

"I've had a lot of time to think and plan what I want from life.

"The biggest thing I've got out of [being here] was the violent offenders program and schema therapy - working on self-actualisation and becoming aware of your thoughts and emotions and controlling them."

While he acknowledged the behavioural and psychological programs he had completed were helpful, he said some of the education and employment opportunities had been lacking until now.

"I've had pretty much every job in here, from mopping floors to wiping windows," Mr Allwell said.

"They'll go for six hours. It's not really a job, it's just repetitive.

"The first real program that I think I've got something from doing education is this program. It seems like it's going to actually give people skills."

Head of detainee services at the prison, Mark Bartlett, said there were now a range of programs where inmates could develop their skills.

"Our first 10 years of operation here, there's been quite a strong focus on programs and strong focus on education," Mr Bartlett said.

"It's just quite recently that there's been a focus on developing prison industries.

"There will still be a focus on literacy and numeracy. If you can help support someone to learn how to read and how to write that can change someone's life."

As of March 31, there were 468 detainees at the prison, with 321 of those involved in an education program. That equates to 69 per cent of the prison population.

Fourteen detainees were studying university courses via correspondence.

Mr Bartlett said the rate of prisoners being educated in the ACT was more than double any other jurisdiction.

He added there was a difficulty with shorter sentences as 70 per cent of detainees were sentenced to a term of less than 12 months.

This meant there was less time for an inmate to engage with the programs on offer and the prison is forced to tailor programs to be completed in shorter time frames.

In the civil construction course the inmates complete eight units out of the 15 necessary to attain a certificate II in civil construction. It covers everything from cutting a straight line and learning "how not to cut your thumbs off" to plumbing an entire bathroom.

Head trainer and assessor Andre Penders said it was often a case of teaching theory by stealth.

"It's real life practical skills, backed up with the theory that they can actually go out and get a job with a bit of confidence," Mr Penders said.

"And it's the routine, get up in the morning, work pants on, boots on, basically going to work."

Mr Allwell added that it was the chance to actually get your hands on tools and doing proper work that the inmates most enjoyed.

Of course, the reality of teaching these courses in prison brings difficulties, particularly in attracting staff.

"You get tradies used to doing something in an hour that will take you all day in a TAFE," Mr Bartlett said.

"You put that TAFE in a prison and that's going to take a week."

He said it was also crucial to break down the stigmas associated with prison.

"It's all very normal, it's not like what you see on (US television show) Prison Break," he said.

"I've been working in prisons for two decades and I feel safer at work than I do at Civic on the weekend."

Added Mr Penders: "I've been here close to 10 years now and I think I've got the best job in the world."

"It's heartbreaking but it's a good job."

As for Mr Allwell, he will be patiently waiting for the last year of his incarceration to pass dreaming of his own dream job - owning his own farm or renovating houses.

"I'm proud of where I'm at," he said.

"But I've got a lot more to do. The real test is when I get out."