National Corrections Day gives us the chance to recognise the often difficult work done by the men and women working in the state’s prison system.
Working in some of the most challenging work environments employees can face, they protect the community, rehabilitate offenders and conduct themselves in a thoroughly professional manner.
The theme this year for National Corrections Day is We Are Family. It is fitting, then, that here in NSW we have seen so many of our members in the past few months go above and beyond in protecting their communities.
As bushfires gripped NSW, our members were at their best. Staff in centres throughout the state kept up their professional approach to work, even with fires reaching the very perimeter of some prisons, such as Lithgow and the South Coast, inundating workplaces with smoke and heat.
As the fires closed in the Oberon, Mannus and Glen Innes Correctional Centres our members were hard at work transferring inmates to safer facilities.
Our members’ excellent work in times of crisis didn’t stop at the gate. Dozens of PSA/CPSU NSW members in Corrections protected their communities by volunteering to fight fires, and working behind the scenes to help those affected by the unfolding disaster.
The role so many of our members played at this time demonstrated the vital role many PSA/CPSU NSW members play in keeping our regional communities going.
Special mention also needs to be made for the Special Operations Group, which was a great help as riots broke out in the state’s Youth Justice system.
Every year National Corrections Day recognises the tough work Correctional Officers do in our prisons. This year, we have the chance to appreciate their incredible efforts outside the walls as well.
Stewart Little
General Secretary
PSA of NSW