New correctional officers committed to community safety in Townsville

• 26 new Custodial Correctional Officers join the public safety frontline in North Queensland
• All 26 have completed an intensive, 10-week Custodial Officer Entry program
• Over the last year, more than 650 new Queensland Custodial Corrections Officers have graduated from training

 

Former ADF personnel, hospitality workers and interstate corrections officers are among 26 new officers successfully completing a 10-week Custodial Officer Entry program in North Queensland.

The new Custodial Correctional Officers are starting new careers on the frontline of public safety at the Townsville Correctional Complex following a graduation ceremony on Thursday, 14 June with family and friends.

Led by experienced instructors from the Queensland Corrective Services Academy, the entry program includes training in conflict management, tactical skills and QCS policies and legislation to assist with prisoner rehabilitation.

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.

Quotes attributable to Member for Mundingburra Les Walker:

‘These newly graduated Custodial Corrections Officers for the North are an important investment on the frontline of community safety and a great credit to the QCS Academy’s quality team of instructors.

“Over the last year, QCS instructors have clocked up in excess of 200,000 hours training more than 650 corrections officers, including 71 for Townsville with a strong focus on rehabilitation and reducing prisoner reoffending.

“These are good, frontline Queensland jobs, supported by the Government because of the great work our Custodial Corrections Officers do in helping to keep Queenslanders safe.”

Quotes attributable to Corrective Services Minister Nikki Boyd:

“After 10 weeks of intensive training, today’s 26 Custodial Corrections Officer graduates start rewarding careers in North Queensland delivering world-class correctional services to the community and prisoner rehabilitation.

“It’s terrific to see former ADF personnel and interstate corrections officers among the Townsville graduates who’ve committed to training for good jobs on Queensland’s frontline.

“Community safety and the well-being of Queensland’s Correctional Officers are paramount and that’s why the Government has included an additional $246 million in this year’s Budget for Correctional Services and more than 1,000 new full-time corrections jobs.”

Quotes attributable to Deputy Commissioner, Community Corrections and Specialist Operations Ursula Roeder ACM:

“Congratulations to our newest correctional officers for their commitment and service to frontline public safety.

“Our graduates come from different walks of life with different life experiences, and are equipped with the highest level of training, skills and support to enable them to perform their roles safely and effectively.

“Queensland Corrective Services is an essential part of our criminal justice system, delivering innovative, effective, evidence-based correctional services, which contribute to a safer Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Chief Superintendent Louise Kneeshaw, General Manager, Townsville Correctional Complex:

“We welcome our 26 newest Custodial Correctional Officers to Townsville and thank them for their commitment to helping keep communities safe.

“Our officers are our greatest asset, and we strive to ensure they are supported as they carry out their often-unseen duties.

“Every interaction our officers have is an opportunity to address offending behaviour and to improve the vocational and life skills of prisoners, assisting in their rehabilitation and reintegration back into the community.”

Further information:

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

ENDS