30 October
Today 25 custodial and non-custodial Corrections staff from Tongariro/Rangipo Prison received long service awards for a cumulative 385 years at the Department.
Two staff received awards for 35 years each at Corrections with the remaining 26 receiving awards for 7,14, 21 and 28 years with the Department.
“The average New Zealander spends around 5 years with one employer so to have a number of staff who have been with the Department for over 14 years, some for 35 years is extraordinary. I am delighted to be part of recognising that dedication. Corrections staff play an important role in making our communities safer by reducing re-offending and it can be a demanding role requiring immense dedication,” says Assistant Regional Manager Paul Vlaanderen.
“Having these staff with us for this amount of time means we are retaining invaluable organisational knowledge and experience and that needs to be acknowledged. I thank each and every one of today’s recipients for the work they do and also for the advice and guidance they provide to the staff we have joining the Department. Corrections offers a variety of rewarding careers it is great to see that demonstrated first hand through the staff we are honoring today.”
Unit Manager at Tongariro/Rangipo Patricia Isherwood received an award for 21 years of service and good conduct and said “I entered the field when women were just starting to be encouraged to consider employment opportunities in the prison service. My passion is working with people, whether they be staff or prisoners and this job allows me to do that on a daily basis.”
The award ceremony was held in Tongariro and attended by Corrections staff including Chief Executive Barry Matthews, the MP for Taupo Louise Upston and family and friends of the recipients. Each year the Department recognises and celebrates staff for their service and conduct to the Department.
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