Queensland Corrective Services' unsung heroes receive National Honours
- Three Queensland Corrective Services officers awarded the Australian Corrections Medal (ACM).
- Officers recognised for creating stronger, safer communities.
- The ACM recognises distinguished service by an operational member of an Australian state or territory civilian corrections service for adults.
Three officers from Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) have been nationally recognised for their outstanding service to community safety.
QCS Custodial Operations Central and Northern Region Command, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Stuart McHaffie, Wolston Correctional Centre, Correctional Manager, Patrick Ralph and QCS Serious Offender Director Shannon Atkins have been named in the King's Birthday 2025 Honours list.
Minister for Corrective Services Laura Gerber thanked the officers for their exceptional service to community safety.
"These officers have shown tremendous initiative and adaptability, leading positive changes in tough environments," Minister Gerber said.
"The Australian Corrections Medal goes to exceptional individuals who showcase outstanding skills and a strong commitment to the community.
"Congratulations to Acting AC McHaffie, Patrick and Shannon for their national recognition and the great work they do to keep Queenslanders safe every day."
Acting AC Stuart McHaffie Patrick Ralph Shannon Atkins
QCS Commissioner Paul Stewart APM congratulated the officers for their service and dedication to the public safety agency.
"On behalf of QCS, I want to congratulate Acting AC McHaffie, Patrick and Shannon for their outstanding commitment to officer and community safety and reforming lives," Commissioner Stewart said.
"Their commitment to increasing community safety is evident through their work and its effect on our community.
"Corrections is a demanding and challenging profession, and our officers work hard day in and out to create meaningful change."
This year the QCS recipients for the Australian Corrections Medal are:
QCS Custodial Operations, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Stuart McHaffie has made significant contributions throughout his career at QCS and notably as the General Manager at Woodford Correctional Centre (WFDCC), where he enhanced facility security and officer safety. He introduced the successful Drug Disruption Strategy, which significantly reduced contraband at WFDCC. Due to its success, he led the state-wide Drug Disruption Working Group. Operation Certitude, transitioning Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre (AGCC) on 1 July 2020, was one of the most complex projects in QCS' history and Mr McHaffie liaised with the GEO Group Australia, providing necessary information and conducting industrial consultations, crucial for the centre's successful transition. He also represented QCS in the State Health Emergency Coordination Centre, liaising between Queensland Health and QCS. During the COVID-19 outbreaks at AGCC in August 2020, his leadership was vital and ensured frontline workers could swiftly return to maintain the centre's good order.
Wolston Correctional Centre, Correctional Manager Accommodation, Patrick Ralph began his career with QCS as a correctional officer in 1985. Since then, he has held various frontline roles, mainly at Wolston Correctional Centre, including leadership positions in intelligence, centre services, offender development, and accommodation. Since 2014, Mr Ralph has served as the residential manager at Wolston, demonstrating dedication to effective and respectful service delivery. He is a respected leader both at the centre and within QCS, known for his positive leadership style based on respect, empathy, and collaboration. Mr Ralph provides support and learning opportunities to new correctional officers and is highly regarded by colleagues for his reliability and honest advice. Over his nearly 40-year career, he has shown unwavering dedication to fostering respectful correctional environments for prisoners, officers and the broader Queensland community.
QCS Serious Offender Director Shannon Atkins has served for more than 25 years in prisoner and offender management, showcasing exceptional leadership and dedication to community safety. Ms Atkins has held numerous operational and frontline roles within QCS, marked by significant contributions to high-risk offender management and innovative program implementation. As Manager of Offender Development at Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre, she developed and implemented programs that improved organisational efficiency and community safety. As a Principal Psychologist, she led assessments and interventions for high-harm offenders, focusing on evidence-based practices and enhancing stakeholder relationships. Since June 2024, Ms Atkins has served as the Director of the Serious Offenders Group within the Specialist Operations Command, providing strategic leadership and oversight in managing serious offender cohorts across the state. She has played a crucial role in legislative compliance, operational strategy development, and early identification of complex offender needs. Notable achievements include overseeing legislative amendments and developing pathways for managing high-risk offenders outside existing provisions. Ms Atkins was also the Project Manager for the Countering Violent Extremism project, transitioning a project management team into an operational team and securing additional funding to enhance community safety. Her extensive experience and strategic vision continue to greatly benefit the agency.
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QCS Custodial Operations, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Stuart McHaffie
What this recognition means to me:
Why I like working in corrections:
QCS Serious Offender Director Shannon Atkins
What this recognition means to me:
Why I like working in corrections:
