Newest Maryborough custodial correctional officers graduate into frontline roles

• Thirteen officers start their new career at Maryborough Correctional Centre
• Opportunities available throughout the state to join the frontline of community safety

Queensland’s newest custodial correctional officers graduated onto the frontline this week as Queensland Corrective Services held its first ceremony for the year in Maryborough.

Thirteen recruits will start their new careers working to reform and rehabilitate offenders at Maryborough Correctional Centre and play an essential role in delivering safety for Queensland communities.

Coming from careers in construction, trades, healthcare, education, retail and security, the new officers have completed 10-weeks of paid training to equip them with skills in conflict management and tactical operations as they step into their new roles.

More than 200 officers will graduate from QCS’ Custodial Officer Entry Program training over the coming weeks and be deployed to correctional centres across the state, from Lotus Glen in Mareeba to Queensland’s newest prison, the Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre, in Gatton, southeast Queensland.

Minister for Corrective Services Laura Gerber congratulated the graduating officers for completing their training.

“Corrective Services officers play a critical role protecting our communities and supporting the rehabilitation of offenders to make Queensland safer,” Minister Gerber said.

“Congratulations to the new graduates, I wish them the best as they embark on this exciting step in their careers.”

Assistant Commissioner Eloise Hamlett ACM, Regional and Women’s Command, Custodial Operations congratulated the new officers on their commitment to community safety and welcomed them to QCS.

“Our officers are our greatest asset, and we are strengthening our numbers to deliver reform and rehabilitation that will mean less crime, fewer victims and safer communities,” Assistant Commissioner Hamlett said.

“Congratulations to our new graduate officers, I wish them the best as they embark on this exciting step in their careers.”

General Manager Maryborough Correctional Centre, Chief Superintendent John Owens welcomed the officers to their new frontline role.

“We welcome our first new group of custodial correctional officers for the year, and look forward to seeing their careers develop with QCS,” Chief Superintendent Owens said.

“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 safe reintegration back into the community.

“Working in corrections can be challenging but also extremely rewarding, and I encourage anyone looking for a career that supports community safety to take a look at the opportunities available.”

There is a wide range of career paths and opportunities with Queensland Corrective Services working in custodial environments and in the community.

QCS is actively recruiting for positions across Queensland, including custodial officers, programs and education officers, case managers, occupational therapists, psychologists and counsellors working in correctional mental health.

For more information and to find out how to join Queensland Corrective Services, head to: Careers | Queensland Corrective Services (corrections.qld.gov.au).

A new Community Corrections careers webpage is also now live featuring opportunities for professionals, university graduates and those looking for a career change, to build a meaningful career in locations across the state, including Mt Isa, Innisfail, Mackay, Townsville and Rockhampton. Careers with Community Corrections

ENDS.

Additional information:

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