Forty-five staff from New Plymouth, Manawatu, and Wanganui Prisons were recognised with long service awards yesterday. The event recognised custodial and non-custodial staff who have given 7, 14, 21, and 28 years of service.
Central Regional Manager Jeanette Burns, and Assistant Regional Manager Chris O'Brien-Smith, attended the ceremony. The award ceremony was held in Wanganui and attended by Corrections staff, and family and friends of the recipients.
“These medals are extremely important and valued because they represent years of dedication in a demanding and challenging job. It is a job that makes a major contribution to the wider community by safely incarcerating prisoners and trying to prevent them from re-offending,” says Jeanette Burns.
“The recipients of these medals today represent the backbone of Prison Services. These are the officers that new officers turn to for advice. Their years of organisational knowledge, sense of history and expertise are called upon daily. Senior staff, such as those here today, are critical to our success in providing high performing Prison Services which improve the safety of our local community.
“To the recipients, I would say that, in essence, you are role models for staff and have a critical leadership role in helping Prison Services to achieve our ultimate goal of improving public safety. Congratulations to each officer and staff member receiving their Award today. You all display the necessary virtues of courage, integrity and discipline every single day and you are our heroes,” says Mrs Burns.
The awards are issued under authority delegated by Her Majesty the Queen, under Royal Warrant. The New Zealand Prison Services medal is granted for long service to Custodial Staff. In 2005 it was decided to also recognise non-custodial long serving staff with Departmental badges.
ENDS
For further information contact the Communications Services Desk:
• Phone: (04) 460 3365 Email: commdesk@corrections.govt.nz
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