Corrections workforce bolstered with 144 new officers for South East Queensland

• 144 new Custodial Correctional Officers join the public safety frontline in South East Queensland
• The new officers now ready to play their role in protecting community safety
• Seven experienced officers recognised for exemplary service and commitment to making Queensland safer

 

Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) welcomed 144 new Custodial Correctional Officers (CCOs) to the frontline of public safety in South East Queensland after a graduation ceremony in front of hundreds of friends, family and colleagues today.

Having now completed the Custodial Officer Entry Program, the new recruits will bolster officer numbers at correctional centres across South East Queensland and play their role in making Queensland safer.

The new Custodial Correctional Officers will be posted to Arthur Gorrie, Brisbane, Brisbane Women’s, Borallon, Southern Queensland, Wolston, Woodford and Palen Creek correctional centres, and the Escort and Security Branch, in coming days.

Seventy-four of the new officers will gain experience in centres in the south-east until Queensland’s newest men’s high security centre is opened in the Lockyer Valley later this year where they will be part of the 800-strong workforce.

The 10-week paid Custodial Officer Entry Program has equipped each officer with fundamental skills in conflict management, tactical skills and QCS policies and legislation.

As part of their dynamic, varied and rewarding new careers, the CCOs will work to stop the cycle of reoffending through the safe and secure management of prisoners and correctional facilities with a range of roles available to grow their careers.

During the ceremony, seven experienced officers were also presented with the National Medal or Long Service Good Conduct medals for their exemplary service and commitment to making our communities safer.

Minister for Corrective Services Laura Gerber MP congratulated the graduating officers on their commitment to making Queensland safer and praised them for their dedication.

“The Crisafulli Government is committed to restoring community safety and our QCS officers play a vital role in delivering this,” Minister Gerber said.

“Today’s graduates are stepping into an important job and I congratulate them on the hard work and dedication they have shown over the past 10 weeks in finishing their training.

“These officers will soon join their QCS colleagues on the frontline, and our government is committed to giving them the resources and support they need to make our community safer.”

 

QCS Commissioner Paul Stewart APM welcomed the graduating officers to Corrective Services.

“We are seeing record numbers of new officers joining QCS to help restore community safety through prisoner and offender reform,” Commissioner Stewart said.

“Our officers work hard every single day to address offending behaviour and deliver reformative justice through every interaction they have to rehabilitate prisoners to avoid reoffending.

“I am very proud to welcome each and every one of our new officers who bring a variety of background skills and experience to the frontline of community safety.

“We thank our graduating officers for their commitment and extend that appreciation to their friends and families – hundreds of which were at today’s graduation ceremony – whose support is invaluable to our new officers as they embark on a challenging but rewarding career with Queensland Corrective Services.”

Cr Chris Wilson, Lockyer Valley Regional Council Deputy Mayor congratulated the latest cohort on their achievements.

“It takes a special type of person to put themselves at the forefront of public safety, and I applaud all the graduates on their decision to undertake this important role and for completing their comprehensive training,” he said.

“Not only will these Custodial Officers help keep our communities safe, they will also contribute positively to the rehabilitation of prisoners – a rewarding task and one that has long-lasting benefits for our society as a whole.”

Queensland Corrective Services is actively recruiting for good, public safety focused jobs and careers including trade instructors, dog squad officers, psychologists, counsellors, cultural liaison officers and administration.

Becoming a Custodial Correctional officer is the starting point for an exciting career with Queensland Corrective Services with a wide range of career paths and opportunities.

Custodial Correctional Officers enjoy excellent employment conditions including a competitive salary and superannuation, employment security, salary packaging and health and wellbeing programs.

ENDS

Further information:

• For more information and to find out how to join Queensland Corrective Services, head to: Careers | Queensland Corrective Services (corrections.qld.gov.au).
• Job candidates relocating from interstate and South East Queensland to Capricornia, Townsville or Lotus Glen Correctional Centres may also be eligible for a relocation assistance package of up to $7,000.