Take a Look Inside QCS officer profile

Jake, Senior Case Manager, Innisfail Community Corrections

Jake’s love of working with people and keen interest in criminal justice led him down the path to community corrections.

As a Senior Case Manager at Yarrabah Community Corrections Reporting Centre, Jake works with offenders in the community to help them establish crime free lives by making good choices.

“My role is to monitor risk in the community by supporting offenders, many of whom have suffered significant trauma in their lives,” Jake said.

“I help them improve their circumstances and give them a better chance of becoming more productive members of society.

“I find one of the challenges in my role is having difficult conversations with offenders, but I try to overcome this by applying motivational interviewing techniques I have learned.

“Motivational interviewing is an offender-centred counselling method aimed at enhancing the offenders’ motivation to change by working with them collaboratively, showing empathy and empowering them to want to make positive change.

“Training in motivational interviewing includes learning how to frame questions and guide conversations in a way that elicits change talk and empowers the offender to start taking action.”

Jake was born and raised in Far North Queensland. He completed his degree in Criminology in Townsville, spent two years living overseas and held part-time jobs in other fields before joining Queensland Corrective Services three years ago.

“I work with many people who have not had an easy time in life, so I strive to make a difference by being empathetic and relatable towards them.

“In turn, this helps them achieve their goals and improve their circumstances.”

Jake also puts his hand up for personal and professional development opportunities to keep his skills updated and improve his offering as a Case Manager.

He has also recently helped to develop a mentorship program alongside fellow Probation and Community Corrections Officers’ Association (PACCOA) members from Pine Rivers, which links newer officers with more experienced colleagues from around Australia and improves networking and supports officers in learning and career progression.

In Jake’s spare time, he enjoys socialising with friends, watching sport and going snowboarding.