28 October
Thirty-six new corrections officers and two Corrections Inmate Employment instructors graduated from their six week course at the Trentham Staff Training College on 28 October. The graduates are now set to join the frontline of community safety and are destined for positions at Prison and Corrections Inmate Employment sites across the country.
One recruit also received the Minister’s Excellence Award at the ceremony, which has been established by the Minister of Corrections to promote and honour the leadership, professionalism and all-round excellence of one particularly outstanding graduate of the Department’s six week live-in training course.
“I would like to congratulate you all for your hard work and perseverance over what I’m sure has been a demanding course,” said Minister of Corrections Hon Judith Collins at the presentation of the new staff’s graduation certificates.
“Your role as a corrections officer is one of the most important jobs in New Zealand because you will have the opportunity to make New Zealand a better and safer place every day.
“In managing the sentence requirements and orders of the law courts, you contribute to the smooth functioning of the justice system and maintenance of a fair and just society.”
The recipient of the Minister's Excellence Award was Ray Warner.
“College staff tell me Ray is a great best-all-round student, who has shown a great deal of commitment, organization, and focus during his training,” said Minister Collins before presenting Ray with the Minister's Excellence Award.
“I wish you well as you embark on your new career, and look forward to seeing you all at work as I visit prisons around the country,” said Minister Collins.
Notes to Editors
Corrections officers are responsible for ensuring prisoners are safely, securely and humanely contained during their sentence and they actively work with prisoners to make positive changes to their behaviour.
Corrections Inmate Employment instructors are responsible for teaching trade and technical training skills to prisoners to help them establish pathways towards an offence-free lifestyle.
The new recruits have spent the last six weeks living at the Staff Training College adjacent to Rimutaka Prison where they have learnt the basics in actively managing all types of prisoners, from dangerous and disturbed to rehabilitation-focused quieter types.
Graduates have covered modules in Corrections legislation, the Sentencing and Parole Acts, site and perimeter safety, managing prisoners’ visitors, drug reduction in prison, gang management and avoiding being compromised – or ‘getting got’ by prisoners, among others.
During their career in Prison Services the graduates will continue to undertake workplace training toward National Certificates in Offender Management, refresher training and specialist role training as required.
For further information contact the Communications Services Desk:
Copyright © Department of Corrections | Feedback and queries email: webmaster@corrections.govt.nz