Eight Corrections officers who have each completed over 35 years of front-line service were presented with new long service insignia by the Minister of Corrections, Hon. Damien O’Connor at a ceremony at Parliament. Mr O’Connor said the dedication of these Corrections officers will have a lasting legacy.
Celebrating our long-serving Corrections officers. At Parliament to collect their long-service insignia
were (left to right) Robert Baty, Robert Norriss, Keith Templeton, Peter McIntyre,
Doug Keith, Don Spencer, Tom Maw and Gordon McCarthy.
“Their efforts have helped the many prisoners they have worked with over the years deal with the causes of their offending - thereby reducing re-offending and making our communities safer,” said.
“Furthermore, their experience plays an important role in helping to instill a high level of professionalism in new recruits.”
One Corrections officer to receive the award was Gordon McCarthy, who has been based at Rimutaka Prison for some 36 years, with the exception of brief stints at Mt Eden Prison and Napier Jail.
Gordon has received a number of letters of commendation from the Department for his work over the years and his Prison Manager, Chris Smith, says they reflect the work that Gordon does on a daily basis.
“The hard work that Corrections’ staff do is often hidden from the rest of the community by a prison’s fences and walls, so their efforts are rarely seen,” says Chris.
“The insignia that Gordon was given will help his friends, colleagues and, I hope, the wider community, realise what an oustanding service he has done for the prison and the local area.”
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ISSN 1178-8453