For Immediate Release 23 September 2009

336 years of department dedication recognised

The average New Zealander spends 5.6 years with one employer or organisation*.

Today staff from the Department of Corrections National Office in Wellington had their combined 336 years of service recognised by Chief Executive Barry Matthews.

“The people in any organisation of this size are the key. Without the dedicated and diverse people we have here we could not operate.

It shows extraordinary dedication that those we have recognised today have given so much of themselves to the Department, especially given the challenging nature of our work.”

“Many of them have come from operational backgrounds in community probation offices or prisons, actively managing offenders and helping shape the future paths their lives will take.

“Others of them have helped shape Corrections path, with strategic direction, policies or infrastructure which has lead us to where we are today.”

“As a department we all have the responsibility of making daily decisions that impact on reducing an offender’s chances of reoffending - whether directly or indirectly - which in turn means we play an important role in making our communities safer.

“I am proud to work alongside staff who display such qualities, and in a place which brings out those qualities in people.”

Corrections offers a variety of rewarding careers it is great to see that demonstrated first hand through the staff we are honouring today.”

27 staff were acknowledged by Mr Matthews at the low key ceremony this afternoon, 20 for service of seven years, three for service of 21 years, one for service of 28 years and three staff for service of 35 years.

The staff being honoured included a very familiar face for most people in the building – the Senior Records Officer and mail man, as well as two prison Inspectors, a librarian and National Prisoner Movement Coordinator and prison history ‘buff’ Phil Lister.

“I started with the Ministry of Justice as a prison officer cadet in 1974 and worked my way up through the uniformed ranks before being seconded to National Office. I’ve stayed because I have always felt I was making a difference – even if I couldn’t see it. There was always another challenge to rise to,” says Phil.

ENDS

*Figure supplied by the Department of Labour

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