Corrections Officers head from Wellington to Waikato

For Immediate Release 6 September 2011

Corrections Officers head from Wellington to Waikato

A group of new Corrections recruits have graduated from the Initial
Training College at Rimutaka Prison, this time destined to keep the
Waikato public safe.

Donning the new Corrections uniform the 12 new Officers will head as a
band of blue to North Waikato where they will be employed at Spring Hill
Corrections Facility.

Corrections Chief Executive Ray Smith says the new recruits should be
commended for stepping up to do a job to deal with the country's most
difficult people.

"Prison is a mystery to most New Zealanders. These new staff members
have made an admirable decision to take on a role of leadership inside
the wire.

"Prisoners can be difficult to manage, and frontline staff are
responsible for working with them everyday. These staff have the chance
to make a real difference by making sure offenders are held to account
for their actions, but also by being agents of change for them."

One graduate, Brian Rose, took away the Minister's Excellence Award
presented by Corrections Minister Judith Collins herself, for displaying
diligence and special leadership quality.

Minister Judith Collins says Brian was nominated for being exceptionally
professional, having a positive attitude and approaching everything on
the course willingly and with great eagerness.

"Brian has been a quiet achiever. He has been exceptionally
professional, always has a positive attitude and has approached
everything on course with real enthusiasm.

"He has worked diligently. He has demonstrated pride in every facet of
his personal and professional conduct. During his training he has shown
integrity, honesty and professionalism - which makes him a worthy winner
of the Minister's Excellence Award."

The intensive Initial Training course completed by the new staff covers
a range of training including the processes and procedures for
conducting muster checks, locking and unlocking, incident reporting,
managing at risk prisoners and the use of active management.
"The staff will soon put these skills into practice in their roles at
Spring Hill Corrections Facility," Mr Smith says. "Their training will
also be expanded with on the job training to support and guide prisoners
to undertake rehabilitation programmes, receive an education, gain
skills that will help them gain work upon release; and use their time in
prison constructively.
"As this particular group of graduates are all off to the same
Corrections Facility, they also have a unique opportunity to carry the
bond and support for each other developed at College through to Spring
Hill.

"As a Department our ultimate priority is keeping the public safe but
looking after each other is also very important."

ENDS

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