Outstanding service honoured in 2026 King’s Birthday List

• Three Queensland Corrective Services officers awarded the Australian Corrections Medal
• Officers recognised for decades of outstanding service to custodial and community corrections
• 48 QCS officers recognised with ACM since it was instituted in 2017

 

Three Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) officers have been awarded the Australian Corrections Medal (ACM) for their unwavering commitment to making Queensland safer as part of the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List.

Assistant Commissioner, Community Corrections, Samantha Newman, Townsville Correctional Centre Custodial Supervisor Julie Inglis and former Wolston Correctional Centre Trade Instructor Mark Spicer (retired) were recognised nationally for their distinguished service and outstanding contributions to community safety.

The newly honoured officers have decades of service to Queensland behind them and join 45 QCS officers recognised since the Australian Corrections Medal was instituted in 2017.

Minister for Corrective Services Laura Gerber MP congratulated the medal recipients for their dedication and commitment to making Queensland safer.

“The Queensland Corrective Services officers recognised here today should be immensely proud of their service and for going above and beyond to make Queensland safer,” Minister Gerber said.

“They play a vital role in protecting our communities and I thank them for their tireless efforts and commitment to delivering programs that reduce reoffending and the number of victims of crime in this state.”

QCS Commissioner Paul Stewart APM congratulated the medal recipients and thanked them for their decades of service across custodial and community corrections in Queensland.

“This honour reflects the outstanding contributions of our officers over decades of service to making Queensland safer,” Commissioner Stewart said.

“From leading operational responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring officers are skilled in responding to complex prisoners and supporting meaningful outcomes for prisoners through skill development and structured routine, the recipients of the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours are highly deserving of this recognition.

“Our officers are our greatest asset, and they work tirelessly to deliver programs that reduce reoffending and rehabilitate offenders so there are fewer victims.

“On behalf of QCS, I extend my sincere congratulations to Samantha, Julie and Mark and thank them for their commitment to Queensland.”

ENDS

 

About the recipients:

Assistant Commissioner Community Corrections Samantha Newman

Assistant Commissioner Samantha Newman

Assistant Commissioner Samantha Newman has dedicated over three decades to frontline and operational service within corrections. Commencing her career in 1995 as a psychologist in a correctional facility, she has worked directly with complex prisoners, undertaking psychological assessments, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention.

In her role as Assistant Commissioner, Specialist Operations, she led critical functions including sentence management, intelligence and investigations, offender rehabilitation and the Victims Register.

She has made outstanding contributions during emergency and high-risk situations, including leading a divisional response during the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing rapid changes to operational practices to protect frontline officers, offenders, victims and the community, including the implementation of targeted measures to minimise risk to First Nations communities.

Throughout her career, Assistant Commissioner Newman has demonstrated exceptional resilience, leadership and commitment to frontline officers, offender rehabilitation, victim protection and community safety.

Assistant Commissioner Newman’s reaction to receiving the Australian Corrections Medal

Assistant Commissioner Newman speaks about her career with QCS

 

 

Custodial Supervisor, Julie Inglis

Ms Julie Inglis

Ms Julie Inglis has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the custodial corrections profession for over 26 years. Commencing in 1998 as a trainee custodial correctional officer, she has played a critical frontline role, delivering day-to-day operational services.

Ms Inglis has managed high-risk exercises at Townsville Correctional Complex, from relocating non-compliant prisoners to coordinating complex area searches and is a valued member of the centre’s Leadership Group. Her high levels of integrity and experience in security procedures, officer supervision and management of prisoners has made her a role model held in high regard by her peers.

Ms Inglis demonstrates compassion and dedication in making a difference in other people’s lives and goes above and beyond in her commitment to working for the betterment of others.

Ms Inglis’ reaction to receiving the Australian Corrections Medal

Ms Inglis talks about the power of teamwork at Townsville Correctional Complex

 

Mr Mark Spicer (retired)

Mr Mark Spicer built a solid and diverse career within Queensland Corrective Services over 36 years, demonstrating a strong commitment to operational excellence, rehabilitation, and skill development.

Mr Spicer’s deep understanding of risk management, situational awareness, and interagency collaboration meant he led frontline officers, supported operational continuity and contributed to the safe and well-ordered correctional environment.

As Industries supervisor at Wolston Correctional Centre, Mr Spicer oversaw the correctional industries operations, ensuring workplace safety compliance and maintaining the rehabilitative focus of prisoner employment.

Mr Spicer’s career reflects a balanced blend of custodial expertise, trade knowledge, and a strong commitment to supporting meaningful outcomes for prisoners through skill development and structured routine.