More officers graduate to correctional centres

A class of 40 new custodial officers graduated from the Queensland Corrective Services Academy at Wacol today.

The graduation was the first of many planned for around the State in 2018 as the Palaszczuk Government maintains its commitment to ensuring appropriate staffing of QCS facilities in response to prisoner numbers.

Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan praised the graduates for their hard work.

“Queensland Corrective Services plays a vital role in ensuring public safety across the State through the humane containment and rehabilitation of offenders,” Minister Ryan said.

“These graduates are joining a workforce which is doing an excellent job in an often under-recognised field. It isn’t an easy or glamourous job, but every single Queenslander is safer for their work, and I thank them for it.

“Most QCS custodial officers stay in the job for a significant period of time – certainly more than a decade – which demonstrates both a committed staff and a supportive work environment.

“Sixteen graduates will be posted to the Borallon Training and Correctional Centre near Ipswich, 17 will take up posts at the Maryborough Correctional Centre, five of the graduates will work at the Wolston Correctional Centre and two will go to the Escort and Security Branch.”

QCS Commissioner Peter Martin said the new graduates were following a fine tradition.

“I have made a point of visiting every correctional centre in the State since starting my role as Commissioner and I make no secret of my admiration for the staff working in our system,” he said.

“The vast majority are most impressive individuals who rightfully take great pride in what they do and achieve every day.

“The men and women who graduated today completed 364 hours of training during the course, including practical on-the-job training experiences inside a correctional centre.

“The QCS Custodial Officer Entry Program (COEP) focuses on offender management, correctional centre practice directives, behaviour management, conflict resolution, control and restraint, use of firearms, legislation and intelligence.

“The training places great emphasis on staff safety through the delivery of sessions about safety, situational awareness and communication, behavioural awareness and violence de-escalation techniques.”

Commissioner Martin said the COEP was based on best practice approaches to prepare new officers for the job ahead.

ENDS

Media contact:

Emma McBryde 0447 155 332