National Football League

Prisoners recruited as officials

Published Oct. 6, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Low-security prisoners from a maximum-security jail will control Australian football matches in the Northern Territory's capital city, Darwin, this season, the Northern Territory News reported Thursday.

A chronic shortage of umpires forced the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) officials to turn to Berrimah Prison for prospective boundary and goal umpires.

Six prisoners from the jail are being trained in all aspects of the game, including decision-making, adjudicating and enforcing rules.

Umpiring boss Mark Noonan said the duties would assist the prisoners with reintegration back into their communities and eventual rehabilitation.

"We're waiting for the legal stuff to be finalized and forms to be signed with the prison but we expect the umpires to be allowed out of jail on Saturday to boundary and goal umpire for us," he said.