Initial Training
When you first start a custodial career as a Corrections Officer you will undergo a comprehensive eight week training course. This course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you will need to work safely in a prison environment. Six weeks of initial residential training is undertaken at the Corrections staff college, Trentham, Wellington.

Induction and training are also available for staff who join the Department of Corrections in non-custodial roles.

Career Progression
After initial training Corrections Officers are encouraged to undertake further training which leads to externally recognised qualifications. These qualifications form one of the preferred selection criteria for promotion to more senior roles.

There are opportunities for promotion for custodial staff. On the custodial side there are Senior Corrections Officers, Principal Corrections Officers and Unit Managers roles if you are looking for that next step up. There are also lots of specialist roles – in Training, Sentence Planning, Crime Prevention, Quality Assurance, Drug Dog Handling.

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