Eight inmates from Wooroloo Prison Farm and seven offenders on community work orders arrived in Toodyay yesterday to clear debris from houses and repair or remove damaged infrastructure - a project which the Department of Corrective Services said would give offenders the chance to do something positive for the community.

The fires in late December destroyed homes, farm sheds, equipment and livestock and burnt out 3000 hectares in the district - producing the worst bushfire disaster in the state for nearly 50 years.

Commissioner Ian Johnson said the Department made the decision to offer the help as soon as it heard about the fire.

"The Department is always ready to respond wherever assistance is needed," he said. "We have the capacity to assist with relief efforts and worthwhile community projects, saving taxpayers millions of dollars each year.

"Providing relief in times of disaster such as fires and floods is also a great way offenders in our care can have a real and positive impact in the community."

A section of the Prisons Act 1981 allows low-risk prisoners to undertake activities and community work to give back to society while learning skills to help rehabilitate and reintegrate them into the community on release.

"Repay WA" community service work is undertaken by offenders subject to court, early release or work and development orders.

The estimated value of unpaid work undertaken by offenders on community work is about $2.8 million every year, the Department said.

Kathy Csaba, coordinator of the Department's clean-up response, said Department representatives met the shire and individual property owners to determine the scope of the work that will be undertaken.

"There are nine properties that require urgent help and work will also be carried out at the race course, golf course and pony club once the most urgent work has been completed," she said.

"An ongoing program will then be developed including assistance from some of our prison industries with the replacement of signage and prefabrication of other infrastructure and an ongoing fencing program."