Community Corrections graduates boost safety in Townsville

Published Thursday, 13 December, 2018 at 03:00 PM

Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services
The Honourable Mark Ryan

The hard work and achievements of 13 new community corrections officers was recognised at a graduation ceremony held in Townsville today.

Community safety is the number one priority for Queensland Corrective Services.

A core component of its number one priority is the effective management and reintegration of offenders back into the community.

To increase safety in Townsville, five officers will be positioned in the Townsville District Office, two in Mount Isa District Office, two in Cairns District Office and the remaining four officers will be positioned at Brisbane Central, Innisfail, Inala and Mareeba district offices.

Minister for Police and Minister for Corrective Services Mark Ryan said all community corrections officers played a vital role in community safety.

“Community corrections officers do a wonderful job on the frontline supervising offenders and minimising reoffending, which in turn makes our community safer.

Townsville MP Scott Stewart said the graduates were true servants of the public.

“They will work in a complex, challenging environment but will do so knowing they are helping to promote public safety.

“At a time when the community corrections system is being reshaped, today’s graduates and other community corrections officers will be better equipped to enhance community safety as a result of implementing recommendations from the Sofronoff Report,” Mr Stewart said.

Queensland Corrective Services Deputy Commissioner, Community Corrections and Special Operations, Paul Stewart congratulated the new officers for the completion of their training.

“The training the graduates received has given them the tools they need to help reconnect offenders with their community and to further reduce the chances of reoffending,” Deputy Commissioner Stewart said.

“Community Corrections officers are at the front line of public safety – they supervise offenders in the community and play a vital role in preventing reoffending.

“Following training and completion of work-based activities over a six-month period, the graduates will receive a nationally accredited Certificate IV in Correctional Practice.

“Adding more community corrections officers reaffirms our commitment to meeting community expectations when it comes to reducing the risk to community safety.

“While it can be challenging supervising offenders in the community, I am confident in all our community corrections officers’ abilities to make a real difference in keeping our communities safe,” Deputy Commissioner Stewart said.

ENDS

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