National Corrections Day 2020 Commissioner’s Awards recipients announced

The Story and Victoria bridges lit up in blue and silver on Friday 17 January to celebrate National Corrections Day, recognising the important work of corrective services officers in protecting communities across Australia.

The 2020 theme was aimed at acknowledging the Everyday people making a difference every day, and Commissioner Peter Martin said as a top tier front line public safety agency, QCS’ workforce is vital to achieving its purpose.

“Our officers are our greatest asset. About 5,500 QCS officers work every day to protect the people of Queensland by dealing directly with some of the most complex and dangerous people in our society.

“QCS officers act as agents of change, dedicated to addressing offending behaviour and preventing crime to keep our communities safe.

Commissioner Martin said National Corrections Day is an important opportunity to take a moment to reflect on the good work that is being done by QCS officers.

“I am pleased to recognise our officers with National Corrections Day Awards for those people who embody the principles of Corrections 2030 through their important work of keeping the community safe,” he said.

At the 2020 awards ceremony in Brisbane, Commissioner Martin acknowledged officers who have gone above and beyond to make a difference and keep Queensland safe in the categories of Safety, Excellence, Empowerment, Respect, and Accountability.

Commissioner Martin invited Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) Chairperson, Mr Alan MacSporran QC to make a keynote address at the ceremony and said the working relationship that has been developed with the CCC is invaluable toward shaping the future of the organisation.

“Taskforce Flaxton provided us with valuable insights into how to build a corruption-resistant organisation, and we continue to work with the Crime and Corruption Commission to support Operation Impala – which focuses on the appropriate access and use of official information,” he said.

“This operation will be incredibly useful for us, and we were honoured to have the CCC Chairperson Alan MacSporran to talk to us about the work of the Commission and how it can guide us in our business.”

Commissioner Martin also warmly welcomed A/Chief Superintendent Louise Kneeshaw to make the second keynote speech of the night focused on the importance of workplace diversity.

“We embrace our diversity, which enhances our capability and our professionalism. A/Chief Superintendent Kneeshaw is passionate about building a high performing, diverse culture, and is exceptionally highly regarded within our organisation for her promotion of the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community.

“I am proud to have an officer of A/Chief Superintendent Kneeshaw’s calibre play a key role in our National Corrections Day event, and it was also an honour to present her with a National Corrections Day Award for her dedication to promoting a culture of respect within our organisation for over more than three decades,” he said.

Commissioner Martin said National Corrections Day was a reminder of the growth of QCS in the past year and all of the achievements and milestones that have been reached, but also an opportunity to look to the organisation’s goals for the future, particularly in a key time of growth.

“As we celebrate all our successes and work towards our future state, we are actively seeking the best and brightest Queenslanders to join us on the front line of public safety.

“If you have ever thought about a career in corrections, now is the time to join us,” he said.

For information about working for QCS, visit corrections.qld.gov.au/careers.

 

National Corrections Day 2020 Commissioner’s Award recipients

 

Promoting a culture of safety
Winner	Woodford Correctional Centre Safety Unit	In recognition of the responsive, safe, humane and professional management of prisoners with significant self-harm and at-risk behaviour, whilst addressing the underlying causes in collaboration with internal and external specialists to ensure community safety.
Promoting a culture of excellence
Winner	Numinbah and Palen Creek Evacuation Teams	In recognition of the professionalism, dedication and teamwork displayed during the successful planning, evacuation, management and accommodation of prisoners during the unprecedented state-wide bush fire emergency; as well as support provided to other emergency services agencies to protect the community from the blaze.
Winner	QCS Headquarters Relocation Team	In recognition of the successful relocation and establishment of QCS Headquarters, enabling improved efficiency, collaboration and cost-savings in managing the complex coordination of multiple separate business units to create a workplace befitting a top tier public safety agency.
Promoting a culture of empowerment
Highly Commended	Logan and Beenleigh Community Corrections	In recognition of the innovative and proactive work of officers to prevent crime and keep the community safe through strategic stakeholder partnerships; and using these partnerships to establish and build critical intervention initiatives including the Building Social Capital Hubs, Pharmaceutical Rehabilitation Services drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and high risk domestic and family violence prevention.
Winner	South-east Queensland High Risk Offender Management Unit	In recognition of the vital work specialist senior case managers have undertaken in collaboration with the Queensland Police Service to manage dangerous, high risk sex offenders, detecting and disrupting offence paralleling behaviours, and preventing re-offending and the creation of future victims.
Promoting a culture of respect
Highly Commended	Louise Kneeshaw	In recognition of over 30 years’ experience working across custodial operations, community corrections, and headquarters, embodying strong ethical leadership qualities in all interactions, in addition to making a key contribution to the QCS Diversity Strategy and leading the promotion of the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community.
Winner	Human Rights Implementation Team	In recognition of the work to empower professionalism and ethics in the workplace through the provision of procedures and tools enabling QCS as a top tier public safety agency to ensure the humane and human rights-compatible containment and supervision of people in Queensland with the introduction of the Human Rights Act 2019.
Promoting a culture of accountability
Winner	Financial Services Team	In recognition of the critical work undertaken to enable QCS to function as a responsive top tier public safety agency through the efficient and responsible management of financial resources; and promotion of a culture of financial accountability, working closely with front line divisions to ensure a sustainable correctional system in Queensland.