CHRISTMAS offers everyone the opportunity to do a good deed, even those who are repaying their debt to society.

The offenders at the Borallon Correctional Centre have taken their chance to brighten Christmas for 14 families under the QT Adopt-a-Family appeal.

The offenders followed up their efforts from last year and over the last month have bought food with their own funds for the Christmas hampers.

They put in their food orders via a catalogue a month ago and this week started to put the hampers together.

The offenders live in residential quarters within the facility, which is a reward for good behaviour.

The list of families was shown to the offenders and again they decided to lend a hand.

Correctional Supervisor Juanita Zuna said giving to the community was an important part of the rehabilitation process.

"They chose the families and are quite passionate about it," she said.

Pat, an offender taking part in the appeal, was pleased to make a difference to someone's Christmas.

"There are a lot of struggling families out there, a lot of single parents who are struggling," he said.

He said they had put together hampers of non-perishable foods, Christmas cakes, powdered custard, lollies and chips.

Borallon Correctional Centre Director Scott McNaim said the economic downturn has hit many impacted on families at Christmas.

"I am really impressed by the efforts of staff and offenders involved in this project aimed to help relieve financial stress and pressure faced by many families this time of year.

Communications and Recruitment Officer Carlie Sheehy said the appeal was massively popular with the offenders.

"Giving back to the community is part of the reparation - giving back and making amends for past crimes," she said.