29 March 2007
Corrections has recognised the heroic actions of two long serving staff members - Principal Corrections Officer Phil Cullen and Sister Teresa Donworth, who late last year mediated in a hostage crisis at Auckland Prison.
Mr Cullen and Sister Teresa were the first on the scene when a prisoner locked himself and a female Corrections Officer in a cupboard in the prison’s West Division.
Prior to the Police arriving, the two talked to the prisoner, working all the time to keep him focused on them rather than the hostage.
Auckland Prison Manager Bryan Christy said when the police arrived 20 minutes later and saw the rapport the pair had established with the prisoner they encouraged Mr Cullen and Sister Teresa to continue with their negotiations.
Eventually, the Police had to step in but Mr Christy said they remain full of praise for the way the two Corrections staff members conducted themselves in such a difficult situation.
"The prisoner trusted both Mr Cullen and Sister Teresa and his trust was well placed," Mr Christy said.
Corrections Chief Executive Barry Matthews expressed similar sentiments today when presenting them with the 2006 PRIDE Chief Executive Award - an annual award established in 2005 to acknowledge and reward outstanding staff members.
Mr Cullen and Sister Teresa were two of seven Corrections singled out for their exemplary behaviour in what Mr Matthews described as a "challenging environment, always very much under the microscope".
Mr Matthews said that despite the difficulties and challenges of working with offenders, some staff had the ability to rise above those challenges, setting ever higher standards for all to meet.
Addressing the winner’s family members, Mr Matthews explained that the PRIDE Chief Executive Awards took their name from the core values that guide Corrections - Professionalism, Responsiveness, Integrity, Diversity and Efficiency and Effectiveness.
He thanked the recipients for being role models for everyone in the Department saying their high standards had helped to create an environment in which all Corrrections staff could develop their skills for the benefit of the wider organisation.
ENDS
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