Published Friday, 05 December, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Diverse group join Queensland Corrective Services
Correctional centres across Queensland will welcome an influx of new staff following a graduation ceremony today at the Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) Academy at Wacol.
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence congratulated the 99 new custodial officers, dog squad officers and their dogs, Probation and Parole officers and participants in management development programs on completing their intensive training course.
“It is a very exciting time to be joining QCS, with the State Government investing record amounts in infrastructure to build the prisons of the future and upgrade existing ones,” Ms Spence said.
“This will ensure the best resources and facilities are provided, so that our officers can continue their hard work in our state-of-the-art facilities throughout Queensland.”
Ms Spence said the 34 new custodial officers will fill positions at correctional centres in south-east Queensland, joined by two experienced officers from private correctional centres who have undertaken a three week bridging course.
“These new officers have a broad range of experience in field including the defence forces, police, security, education, telecommunications and real estate,” she said.
“They have undertaken an intense training program to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to begin a rewarding career with Queensland Corrective Services.
“Their training course included modules on control and restraint, cultural awareness, legislation, suicide prevention, firearm training, first aid, interpersonal skills, safety and security, and code of conduct.”
Ms Spence said the new custodial officers joined QCS as part of a recruitment drive that has seen more than 290 new officers graduate from the QCS Academy in 2008.
Also graduating at today’s ceremony were 11 dog handlers and their dogs, 23 Probation and Parole officers, 29 staff members completing management development programs and two distance education students completing their Diploma of Correctional Administration.
The dog handlers have completed General Purpose and Passive Alert Drug Detection course help in Brisbane and Rockhampton since August.
Probation and Parole officers from as far away as Roma, Palm Island, Mt Isa and Thursday Island completed the Reporting Officer Development Program.
The QCS Academy has run Early Management Development and Management Development courses throughout 2008 to build leadership skills.
The courses were targeted at staff who have front line managerial or supervisory responsibilities.
QCS Acting Director-General Neil Whittaker said the graduates reflected the multi-faceted nature of corrections.
“The contemporary corrections environment is challenging and dynamic offering many different and rewarding career paths,” he said
”It underlines that Queensland is a world leader in the provision of corrective services, delivering safe and humane containment and rehabilitation”.
“There will be further opportunities for today’s graduates for professional and personal growth.”
QCS offers more than 200 other operational positions including trade instructors, psychologists, counsellors and management positions within the Probation and Parole service.
More information about careers in corrections is available at the QCS website www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au
Media Contact: Minister’s Office: 3239 6203
Ross McSwain, QCS: 3239 3945 or 0407 657 614
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence congratulated the 99 new custodial officers, dog squad officers and their dogs, Probation and Parole officers and participants in management development programs on completing their intensive training course.
“It is a very exciting time to be joining QCS, with the State Government investing record amounts in infrastructure to build the prisons of the future and upgrade existing ones,” Ms Spence said.
“This will ensure the best resources and facilities are provided, so that our officers can continue their hard work in our state-of-the-art facilities throughout Queensland.”
Ms Spence said the 34 new custodial officers will fill positions at correctional centres in south-east Queensland, joined by two experienced officers from private correctional centres who have undertaken a three week bridging course.
“These new officers have a broad range of experience in field including the defence forces, police, security, education, telecommunications and real estate,” she said.
“They have undertaken an intense training program to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to begin a rewarding career with Queensland Corrective Services.
“Their training course included modules on control and restraint, cultural awareness, legislation, suicide prevention, firearm training, first aid, interpersonal skills, safety and security, and code of conduct.”
Ms Spence said the new custodial officers joined QCS as part of a recruitment drive that has seen more than 290 new officers graduate from the QCS Academy in 2008.
Also graduating at today’s ceremony were 11 dog handlers and their dogs, 23 Probation and Parole officers, 29 staff members completing management development programs and two distance education students completing their Diploma of Correctional Administration.
The dog handlers have completed General Purpose and Passive Alert Drug Detection course help in Brisbane and Rockhampton since August.
Probation and Parole officers from as far away as Roma, Palm Island, Mt Isa and Thursday Island completed the Reporting Officer Development Program.
The QCS Academy has run Early Management Development and Management Development courses throughout 2008 to build leadership skills.
The courses were targeted at staff who have front line managerial or supervisory responsibilities.
QCS Acting Director-General Neil Whittaker said the graduates reflected the multi-faceted nature of corrections.
“The contemporary corrections environment is challenging and dynamic offering many different and rewarding career paths,” he said
”It underlines that Queensland is a world leader in the provision of corrective services, delivering safe and humane containment and rehabilitation”.
“There will be further opportunities for today’s graduates for professional and personal growth.”
QCS offers more than 200 other operational positions including trade instructors, psychologists, counsellors and management positions within the Probation and Parole service.
More information about careers in corrections is available at the QCS website www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au
Media Contact: Minister’s Office: 3239 6203
Ross McSwain, QCS: 3239 3945 or 0407 657 614