Newest Far North Queensland custodial correctional officers graduate into frontline roles
- Thirteen officers start new career at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre
- Opportunities available throughout the state to join the frontline of community safety
Queensland's newest custodial correctional officers graduated onto the frontline this week as Queensland Corrective Services held its first Mareeba ceremony for the year.
Thirteen recruits will start their new careers working to reform and rehabilitate offenders at Lotus Glen Correctional Centre and play an essential role in delivering safety for Queensland communities.
Coming from careers in security, healthcare, mining, construction, hospitality and tourism, the new officers have completed 10-weeks of paid training to equip them with skills in conflict management and tactical operations as they step into their new roles.
More than 200 new officers will graduate from QCS' Custodial Officer Entry Program training over the coming weeks and be deployed to correctional centres across the state, from Townsville in the North and Capricornia in Central Queensland, to Queensland's newest prison, the Lockyer Valley Correctional Centre, in Gatton, southeast Queensland.
At the ceremony, an officer with 25 years' experience was recognised with the National Medal, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and the Commissioner's Medallion for Retiring Officers.
Representing the Minister for Corrective Services, Laura Gerber, Member for Cook David Kempton MP congratulated the graduating officers for their dedication and commitment to community safety.
"Across the state, Queensland's Custodial Correctional Officers play an important role holding offenders to account to protect the community and make Queensland safer," Mr Kempton said.
"These 13 new graduates will soon be working on the frontline where they will protect the security of our prisons and I commend them for the hard work and wish them the very best as they step into their new roles."
General Manager Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, Chief Superintendent Gabrielle Payne welcomed the officers to their new frontline role.
"We welcome our first new group of custodial correctional officers for the year and look forward to seeing their careers develop with QCS," Chief Superintendent Payne said.
"Every interaction our officers have is an opportunity to address offending behaviour and to improve the vocational and life skills of prisoners, assisting in their rehabilitation and safe reintegration back into the community.
"Working in corrections can be challenging but also extremely rewarding, and I encourage anyone looking for a career that supports community safety to take a look at the opportunities available."
There is a wide range of career paths and opportunities with Queensland Corrective Services working in custodial environments and in the community.
QCS is actively recruiting for positions across Queensland, including custodial officers, programs and education officers, case managers, occupational therapists, psychologists and counsellors working in correctional mental health.
Becoming a Custodial Correctional Officer is the starting point for an exciting career with Queensland Corrective Services with a wide range of career paths and opportunities.
Applications can be submitted via the careers page of the QCS website, which will be followed by a phone interview, group assessment and fitness test.
